Inspired by the philosophical adage, l’existence précède l’essence (existence precedes essence), Pure examines the complexities of living together as both a unit of family and society. 

Pure is driven by the perpetual cycle of tension and compromise that accompany every form of social interaction. An inevitable consequence of Man’s fundamental craving to belong. We may own the freedom to decide our individual actions, but so long as we exist amongst other humans, we can never escape the full forces that dictate the ebb and flow of existence. They are one and the same no matter the varying shapes and forms that manifest within different cultures and societal tiers. 

In the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Pure was adapted into Purⓔ《纯ⓔ》during the lockdown period in Singapore. Performed by two dance artists in their own living rooms as an experimental work, and rehearsed and presented entirely over Zoom, this experimental version of the work explored concepts of communication as the basis of coexistence between two or more beings.

World Premiere: December 2016, cont·act Contemporary Dance Festival, Theatre Studio, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore

Laos Premiere: December 2016, Fang Mae Khong Festival, Vientiane

Australia Premiere: February 2018, Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance, Brisbane

Malaysia Premiere: November 2018, KongsiKL, Kuala Lumpur

Thailand Premiere: December 2018, Bangkok International Dance Festival, Bangkok

Japan Tour: February 2019, Fukuoka Dance Fringe Festival, Fukuoka, Japan | September 2019, Odoru Akita International Dance Festival, Akita

UK Premiere: February 2024, The Coronet Theatre, London

Digital Premiere of Purⓔ《纯ⓔ》(livestreamed): June 2020, Singapore