© Kayin Luys
The Ethereal Paradox
What is understood by ‘beauty’ in the past, present, and future?
By looking at the aesthetic features one has, their other qualities seem to lose meaning.
How we look shapes how we experience the world. Attractiveness opens doors, but ‘pretty privilege’ comes with a downside. Those who fit the ideal beauty standard are often reduced to their appearance. At the same time, young people are increasingly struggling with unrealistic beauty norms—ever more extreme, ever less attainable.
The Ethereal Paradox is a three-part dance solo in which dancer Zoë Chungong explores the meaning of beauty. Each part highlights a woman presenting her body through the lens of a different era and dance style. From the roaring twenties to contemporary hip-hop culture, and into a future where beauty may exist only in the virtual realm.
In recent years, Zoë Chungong has performed in any attempt will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones by Jan Martens, What We Can Do Together by MonkeyMind Company (BE) and Unmute Dance Company (SA), and GAZE by Laura Neyskens & Raphaël Vandeweyer. This season, she also performs in the revival of THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER by Jan Martens.
concept & dance Zoë Chungong coaching Mercedes Dassy music Benz Pharaoh scenography & light design Caroline Mathieu production fABULEUS co-production STUK & Perpodium in collaboration with c o r s o with the support of de stad Leuven, de Vlaamse Overheid & de Tax Shelter van de Belgische federale overheid
Want to share your thoughts after the performance?
Fancy discussing the performance over a drink? Join us at the STUK Café for an inspiring small-group conversation, guided by a STUK colleague. No prior knowledge is needed, and everyone is welcome!
➤ Date: 18/03 from 21:40-22:10
➤ Language: English (prefer to speak Dutch? A colleague will happily translate)
➤ Duration: 30 minutes (starts 10 minutes after the performance)
➤ Location: STUK Café
➤ Free, no registration required
CALL BODY OF WORK — RE:COLLECT
STUK IS LOOKING FOR YOUR DANCE MEMORIES!
Do you keep your tickets from memorable dance performances? After a great night of dancing, do you write something down? Do you still have programme booklets at home? A photo or poster on the wall? Is there a movement from a performance you can instantly recreate, or a scene that will stay with you forever?
We’re showcasing all your dance memories in the exhibition at Body of Work (25.04 — 13.05), our festival of
living dance heritage. If you you have such a dance memory, register on this page and we will get in touch with you shortly.
If a performance is sold out, we open an evening waiting list. From 19:30 onwards you can put your name on the list at STUK Reception. Once all audience members are seated, we sell the tickets for empty seats in the order of the waiting list. You are not guaranteed to get in, but it's worth the shot.
The performance on Friday 20.03 is a school performance, but the general audience is more than welcome too!
