Islands 人之島 (Southeast Asian Premiere)

“Every big fish has a fisherman’s name written on its back”— an urban legend that sparked Wang Yeu-Kwn’s journey in creating Islands.

Earmarked by Dance Magazine Japan as someone “definitely worth anticipating”, former Cloud Gate 2 dancer and Sadler’s Wells Rose Prize nominee, Wang Yue-Kwn, is fast gaining international attention. This certified fisherman is also the first Taiwanese to receive three awards at Japan’s Yokohama Dance Collection.

Wang’s Islands, the second episode of “A Trilogy — Quest of Relationships”, began in 2019 as part of the Cloud Gate Wanderers Project. On a quest to unearth his own story and identity, Wang set sail for Indonesia where he reconnected with dancer Danang Pamungkas. From lone wanderers to kindred companions, they explored the weight of bodies anchored to land and air, where identity, like the shifting shores, ebbs and flows with the tides.

The result is a dance performance that captures the tenderness of the earth and our bond with it. Through graceful movement, use of the topeng (Indonesian mask) and intimate storytelling, Wang invites one to reflect on the ties between humans and the islands we call home.

This May, Wang’s Islands will make its Southeast Asian premiere at klpac (Malaysia) followed by a tour to Salihara Arts Centre (Indonesia) after. It marks the fourth consecutive collaboration between the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Malaysia and klpac, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan.

Islands was co-commissioned by the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), National Theater & Concert Hall, with residency support by Kinosaki International Arts Center and The Place, as well as production support by FACP – Clare C. & Friends Fellowship.

Following its 2024 premiere in Taipei, Islands was staged at The Place, London, and the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) in Taiwan.

Tickets on sale soon.

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About klpac Connect
klpac Connect is an access and development initiative supported by Yayasan Sime Darby aimed at improving access to the arts through various amenities and programmes for families with young children, students / schools, persons with disabilities, talents and the general public. Find out more at bit.ly/klpacconnect.

Sponsored Student Tickets (part of klpac Connect)
Under klpac Connect, schools may register their interest to obtain sponsored student tickets for selected shows free of charge. Due to limited availability, tickets are not guaranteed – first-timers from public schools and those from rural / out-of-state locations prioritised. This show is part of the klpac Connect programme. Register your interest here bit.ly/klpac-connect-registration.

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THE TEAM – Shimmering Production 微光製造團隊
Choreography & Concept & Performer 編舞、概念及演出｜Wang Yeu-kwn 王宇光
Performers 演出｜Wang Yeu-kwn 王宇光, Danang Pamungkas
Dramaturgy 戲劇構作｜Wang Shih-wei 王世偉
Set Designer 舞臺設計｜Chen Guan-lin 陳冠霖
Technical Director & Lighting Design 技術統籌暨燈光設計｜Joanne Shyue 徐子涵
Music Design 音樂設計｜Lin Yu-de 林育德
Rehearsal Director 排練指導｜Lee Yin-ying 李尹櫻
Stage Technician 舞台技術｜Fan Li-Ying 范立穎
International Strategy Development & Tour Manager 國際發展策略巡演經理｜Kao Yi-kai 高翊愷
Tour Manager 巡演經理｜A-Man Chen 陳駿騏

Wang Yeu-kwn – Choreography, Concept and Performer
Artistic Director of Shimmering Production and a certified fisherman, Wang Yeu-kwn has been selected as a 2025–2026 Artist-in-Residence at the National Theater & Concert Hall of Taiwan.

Wang is the first Taiwanese artist to receive three Awards at the Yokohama Dance Collection in Japan. He is also the first Taiwanese choreographer to be a finalist for The Rose Prize 2025 at Sadler’s Wells in London. His work has been highly acclaimed, with Dance Magazine Japan recognizing him as a choreographer to watch.

His “A Trilogy – Question of Relationships” project, including the dance works Beings and Islands, has been invited to renowned theaters in France and the UK, as well as multiple touring engagements across Europe. His creations have sparked significant discussions in the international dance scene.

Danang Pamungkas – Performer
Dancer, Choreographer and Artistic Director of Dan’s Dance Studio Solo. Danang Pamungkas was a professional dancer at Cloud Gate 2 in Taiwan. After returning to Indonesia in 2011, he has continued his dance career and has actively studied traditional Javanese dance, using it as a basis for dissecting and exploring the realm of contemporary dance choreography. He is a frequent artist at the Theater Arena Surakarta and Jakarta Salihara Theater in Indonesia. In addition, he has been invited to perform at international festivals and stages including the Indonesian Dance Festival, Salihara Festival and Salihara Festival in Indonesia, the Artquake in Autumn Festival in Taiwan, Welt Museum in Vienna, Austria, the National Museum in Singapore, and Boston Arts Center.

Shimmering Production
Facing the Body, Where Light Emerges.
Founded in 2019 by Wang Yeu-Kwn and Lee Yin-Ying, Shimmering Production focuses on exploring and questioning the body while creating contemporary dance works. They also launched the Hand in Hand, We Dance arts initiative, advocating that everyone has a body, and through breathing, we can create our own light through movement.

Since 2020, Shimmering Production has been developing “A Trilogy – Quest of Relationships”, focusing on exploring the relationships between the body and the world on different scales. The first episode, Beings, is a duet performed alongside paper and ink, which has gained international attention. It has been invited to perform in Japan, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and France. Beings has also been selected as a finalist for The Rose Prize 2025 at Sadler’s Wells in London.The second episode, Islands, premiered at the 2024 Artquake in Autumn at the National Theater & Concert Hall, followed by performances at the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts and The Place Theatre in London.

Shimmering Production continues its creative journey, touring internationally, while staying connected to its core purpose—dancing with every individual and creating a subtle glow that radiates from the body.