Moyang and Seaman

Moyang and Seaman

by Tianzhuo Chen and Setyanto

With “Ocean Cage: Moyang 先祖 & Seaman 漁師,” Tianzhuo Chen and Siko Setyanto present a further development of their successful production “Ocean Cage,” which premiered at HAU2 in May 2024. While the original piece immersively utilised the entire stage space, this new version focuses frontally on the two characters Moyang (ancestor) and Seaman (fisherman).
The director and visual artist Tianzhuo Chen has designed a visually impressive stage set for the dancer and choreographer Siko Setyanto – inspired by the Japanese Nō tradition. Based on a planetary narrative, ritual presence and memories that are not bound by borders or timelines, together they open up an embodied space of ancestor invocation. Exploring the intersection between ancient traditions and expressive dance improvisation, they tell stories that draw from the fluid, expansive narratives of the ocean. On the border between ritual, improvisation and trance, a meditative performance unfolds, carried by the music of Nova Ruth and Kadapat. The quiet, concentrated intensity of Setyanto’s choreography meets the sonically dense composition – a profound experience between spirituality and physical presence.

Director: Tianzhuo Chen

Choreography & Performance: Siko Setyanto

Music: Kadapat, Nova Ruth

Make-Up: Una Ryu

Lighting Design: Akihiko Tanida

Sound Design: Martin Ortiz

Technical Director: Francisca Marques

Costume: Chenting Yu

Technical Production: Paul Mede

Production & Management: partner in crime

Credits:

Production: partner in crime and Tianzhuo Chen