From k-pop to k-dramas, South Korean culture influences global youth through music and television series. In seven years of operation, the Ninety9 Art Company, whose work is exhibited for the first time in Brazil, can be seen as a counterpoint to this rising tide. Co-founded in 2014 by artistic director and choreographer Jang Hye-rim under the maxim of commitment of 1% inspiration and 99% transpiration, the artist sees its compass pointing to the tradition of dance in the Asian country and its consequent modern and contemporary interfaces.

The 2016 performance Abismo is paradigmatic in this regard. The innate character of cultural roots is expressed on stage as each individual on stage is reflected through a sailboat – an origami-style paper boat attached to the hand of six of the seven dancers – to express the emotion of han, sensitivity par excellence, a word used to describe resentment or sadness deeply rooted in the sea of soul.

Music is the backdrop for the flow of movements, as in the instrumental Howl, by the Jónsi & Alex project, that is, Icelandic guitarist Jón Þór Birgisson, from the band Sigur Rós, and American musician Alex Somers, whose ethereal sound bed expresses han in a wide range of perspectives.

FULL TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Executive Director, Art Director and Choreographer: Jang Hye-rim
Dancers: Jang Hye-rim, Jang Seo-yi, Kim Dan-woo, Rhee Min-joo, Sohn Ga-bin, Yeon Eun-joo and Yoo Hyun-jeong
Vocal: Seo Jin-sil
Musical Direction: Leem Young-jo
Percussion: Choi Shin-kwon
Violin: Han A-in
Light: Kim Geon-yeong
Scenario: Kim Jong-suk
Writer: Lee Joo-hee
Costume: Sung Hye-yul
Music: Jonsi & Alex ‘Howl’

PARTNERSHIP
Korean Cultural Center in Brazil (CCCB), KOFICE and Traveling Korean Arts

WEBSITE/ SOCIAL MEDIA
99artcompany.modoo.at
instagram.com/99artcompany
instagram.com/99art.hall
facebook.com/Ninety9ArtCompany