Shen Wei 沈伟 (b. 1968)

Born to Chinese opera professionals, Shen Wei spent his youth studying opera as well as traditional Chinese ink painting and calligraphy. He incorporates these traditions, along with his interest in Western visual art and modern dance, into a thoroughly contemporary practice that melds the past with the present, the East with the West, and the motion of dance with the dynamism of painting. The recipient of a 2007 MacArthur “Genius” fellowship, Wei is widely known as the lead choreographer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremonies, and has created dances for major productions in Rome, Naples, Amsterdam, Montreal, Monte-Carlo, and St. Petersburg.