Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Antony Gormley & Monniken van de Shaolintempel

Do you think of kung fu as synonymous with a spectacular acrobatics? In 'Sutra', Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui proves the opposite by reverting to the rich spiritual context of this martial art. This internationally celebrated Flemish-Moroccan choreographer creates bridges between various cultures. This time his artistic quest took him to the Shaolin temple in the Chinese province of Henan. For centuries the monks there have combined kung fu and Chan Buddhism. Body and soul are inextricably united. Following their first collaboration, on 'Zero Degrees' in 2005, Cherkaoui once again decided to work with the set designer Antony Gormley. In 1994 this British artist won the prestigious Turner Prize for his monumental portrayals of the human body. For 'Sutra' he designed a stage set with open wooden modules that matched the size of the dancers. The young Polish composer Szymon Brzóska, who was one of the prize winners in the deSingel composer competition at music@venture 2007, wrote the original music for piano, percussion and strings. Fifteen young monks from Henan and five western musicians create spirit and earthly power. Or how far away nearby can be.