Dance embraces new reflections

"We appreciate its commitment to dance and invited them to bring Dance Reflections Festival to China. Some works are staged in museums and outdoor venues, where different spaces reshape the relationship between creation and viewing."

Performing arts producer Wang Xin says she has long looked forward to the Shanghai edition of Dance Reflections Festival.

"To me, having a four-week festival like this is like a 'mouse falling into a rice jar'. It brings not only performances but also opportunities for in-depth exchange. We can see what is happening on the global stage and continue the dialogue, seeking common ground while respecting differences," Wang says.

"Contemporary dance in China is still in its early stages, with enormous growth potential. Globally, the art form faces a common challenge: going to the theater has become a relatively 'luxurious' experience. In the age of short videos, people have so many entertainment options they can enjoy without leaving home."

Elegance in motion

Van Cleef & Arpels' relationship with dance dates back to the 1920s. Louis Arpels, a founding family member of Van Cleef & Arpels, loved ballet and often attended performances at the Paris Opera House with his nephew Claude Arpels. In 1941, Van Cleef & Arpels created its first ballerina brooch, making the dancer a recurring motif in its high-end jewelry.

In the 1960s, the family met George Balanchine (1904-83), co-founder and choreographer of the New York City Ballet. Inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels' jewelry, Balanchine created Jewels, a three-part ballet celebrating emeralds, rubies and diamonds. It premiered in New York in 1967.

"Dance is part of Van Cleef & Arpels' history, and we continue to write this story today through Dance Reflections. In 2020, we decided to support dance in a more philanthropic way, extending our commitment beyond jewelry through the Dance Reflections initiative," Catherine Renier, president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, told China Daily on Oct 15, the morning after the festival's opening performance in Shanghai.

"The initiative is built around the values that Van Cleef & Arpels has always upheld: creation, transmission and education. We celebrate creation by partnering with choreographers and supporting their creative practice. Transmission is about sharing the love and history of dance, which is what bringing this festival to Shanghai means. Education allows people to learn more through workshops and seminars."