● Prima-Somas

T H R E S H O L D

Through Contact Improvisation, artists from 11 countries and regions find a common ground for their diverse practices.

An Invitation from China

Contact Improvisation Co-Creative Art Residency

My friend Old Li described this project with four simple words: "Self-Amusement."

It was likely a joke, yet it rings very honest. Perhaps it is precisely this state of finding joy within oneself that allows these gatherings to happen again and again.

"Finding friends through dance" might sound a bit old-school. But through consistent meeting, approaching, touching, and negotiating, experiences gradually accumulate. Under reflection, more things begin to surface with clarity.

So, why not play seriously and find joy in your own way? Dance, paint, sing, or find any path that connects you with yourself, with others, and with the world.

Through Contact Improvisation, artists from 11 countries and regions, with diverse practice backgrounds, find a common ground here. I am curious about what will unfold—and I invite you to share in this curiosity.

ZhangXiao 2026.1

T e a m of A r t i s t s

The artists are listed in alphabetical order

Aluna, Alexandra, Ale, Amin

Kang Tongge, LuluLAI, María, Ong, Paweł

Sima, Tiantian, Yuanzai, Ye Qixi, Yunyi , Yinchuan

May 18 – 31, 2026 15 Days

Qingshan Village, Hangzhou, China

Aluna

Guangzhou, China

中国 · 广州

Alexandra Wuzyk

South Africa

南非

Alessandro Rivellino

Brazil

巴西

Amin

Guangzhou, China

中国 · 广州

Kang Tongge

Beijing, China

中国 · 北京

Lu lu LAi*

Hangzhou, China

中国 · 杭州

Maria Canterc

Berlin, Germany / Spain

西班牙

Nitipat Ong Pholchai

Thailand

泰国

Paweł Kubiak

Poland

波兰

Sima R

Ukraine

乌克兰

Wang tiantian

Chendu, China

中国 · 成都

MARU

Hong Kong, China

中国 · 香港

Yin Chuan

Guangzhou, China

中国 · 广州

Yun Yi

FUjian, China

中国 · 福建

Ye QiQi

Hangzhou, China

中国 · 杭州

Qingshan Village

A "Future Village" reborn through ecological conservation and artistic creativity.

Located in Huanghu Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Qingshan Village is nestled within a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. Spanning a total area of 15.6 square kilometers with a forest coverage rate of 79.9%, it was formed by the merger of three hamlets: Lisan, Tabian, and Dongwu.

The village’s transformation began with the water source protection of the Longwu Reservoir, leading to the formation of a unique symbiotic community. Here, "new" and "old" villagers collaborate through a deliberative council to govern the community together. Through the "Nature’s Good Neighbor" initiative, local guesthouses and farm-stays are encouraged to contribute a portion of their earnings back to the ecological conservation fund.

It is a sustainable, eco-art village where protecting nature fuels industrial growth, enriches the local community, and ultimately feeds back into the preservation of the environment.

The Connection

Qingshan Village gathered because of water and flourished because of people. It explores a broader path of sustainable development—one that connects not only humans and nature but also individuals to each other and to society.

We gather here because of Contact Improvisation. For the coming 15 days, we will immerse ourselves in these mountains and waters, using our bodies and dance to inquire into the relationships between humans and nature, individuals and others, and people and society.

As expressed in the invitation, we are here on this land to rethink "humanity, relationships, boundaries, and the growth of life" through the body.

Threshold is an experimental art project centered on Contact Improvisation. The initiation, organization, and realization of the project are themselves a continuous experiment, rather than a routine procedure.

Week 1: Sharing & Practice The first week focuses on Contact Improvisation, the body, dance, and performance. We will engage in various forms of sharing, exchange, and practical exploration. Participants are invited to enter the space through active engagement, questioning, and action—or simply by staying and observing—rather than passively receiving pre-defined experiences.

Week 2: Open Exploration The second week will unfold in an even more open state. Participants may initiate, join, or simply stay, observe, and wait, based on their own focus and interests.

Note on Participation This project does not provide training services, nor does it set pedagogical goals. Participation is entirely voluntary and based on self-responsibility. We do not promise specific outcomes; we only provide the conditions for practice and encounter.

Participation Pathways

The project offers three distinct pathways for participation: Long-term Practitioners, Financial Support Participants, and the Newcomer Program. These paths allow individuals to enter the same collective structure based on different experiences, resources, and modes of contribution.

For detailed information and to apply, please access the Application Form.

Part I: The First 7 Days

Eligibility & Spots

Long-term Practitioners: 15 Spots
Requirements: At least 1 year of consistent practice in Contact Improvisation (CI), professional arts, or somatic/body-mind exploration. ···（Applicants meeting any of these criteria are welcome to apply. See the application form for details.）
Financial Support Participants: 6 Spots
Two tiers of contribution available.
Newcomer Program: 3 Spots
This program is designed for those with specific skills who wish to support the project:
- English Translation (1 spot)
- Photography/Videography (1 spot)
- Logistics Support (1 spot)

Part II: The Final 7 Days

Continuing Participation:
Participants from the first week may extend their stay into the second week.
Long-term Practitioners (Second Week Only):
Requirements: At least 2 years of consistent practice in CI, professional arts, or somatic/body-mind exploration.
Applicants meeting any of these criteria are welcome to apply. See the application form for details.

For more detailed plans, please inquire further and obtain the application form

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