ACCLAIMED Chinese dancer-choreographer Liu Yan will bring her original dance drama “Jing” to Shenzhen audiences in August, presenting a philosophical journey through movement that explores the fundamental essence of life.

At its heart, “Jing” explores the essence of life through ancient Eastern philosophy. The production employs the five elements — metal, wood, water, fire, and earth — as a framework connecting the cosmos with human existence. On stage, fire embodies strength, wood represents growth, earth symbolizes foundation, water signifies nourishment, and metal, taking the form of a mirror, evokes introspection. Together, they illustrate the dynamic balance between nature and humanity, guiding audiences from the outer universe to inner self-reflection.

The production breaks away from conventional narrative, adopting a “de-plot” approach that avoids linear storytelling. Instead, layered dance vocabulary and fragmented imagery invite each audience member to form their own interpretation.

The minimalist stage design, paired with evocative lighting and mist effects, transforms the space into a dreamlike world pulsating with vitality. The musical score blends classical and contemporary elements, channeling the raw energy of nature and complementing the dancers’ movements with emotional depth.

A graduate and now a professor at the Beijing Dance Academy, Liu was one of China’s top classical dancers before a 2008 Olympic rehearsal accident left her paralyzed below the waist. She has since established the Liu Yan Arts Special Fund of China Literature and Art Foundation to support underprivileged children through arts education and continues to push the boundaries of dance. Since founding her dance studio in 2019, she has been dedicated to creating original works that explore the deeper dimensions of movement and life.

Time: 8 p.m., Aug. 19

Venue: Pingshan Theater, Pingshan District (坪山大剧院)

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1; then walk approximately 700 meters(Tang Li)