Last Saturday, Sarah and I went to see Shen Wei Dance Arts at Duke. Really amazing. She had seen them last summer at ADF (brief write-up here). The program Sat. included part one of "Re-", a dance triptych based on Shen's travels in Tibet, Angkor Wat, and western China and the Silk Road. Part one is inspired by Tibet. It began with the company on stage, finishing up a giant mandala on the floor. Clearly inspired by traditional sand paintings but using shredded colored paper. When the dance began, they moved through the paper, sliding, rolling, kicking it up, trailing it behind them. Music was traditional Tibetan songs and chant. The second half began with Shen and the company's director sitting onstage. They talked some about the process of creating "Re-", Shen's inspiration and process, and showed slides from his travels. Then the dancers came back on and did three sections from Part Two, which was inspired by Angkor Wat.
The complete dance will premiere this summer at ADF. We're definitely planning to go.

Duke Performance has some excellent photos of Shen Wei Dance Arts posted on Flickr.