Sutra -contemporary dance and Shaolin martial arts

Sutra (2008) – A fusion of contemporary dance and Shaolin martial arts that explores cultural unity and the spiritual journey of self-discovery.

Performers & Collaboration: Created with 17 Shaolin monks and the set design was made by a famous sculptor called Antony Gormley.

Visual Symbolism: Uses 21 wooden boxes, symbolizing both confinement and liberation, forming barriers, paths, and structures to represent human resilience and transformation. The paths created by these boxes also illustrate the generally intense and rough journey of Shaolin monks.

Significance: Sutra bridges East and West through movement, merging tradition and modernity which highlights mutual respect across cultures. 

Why: Cherkaoui created Sutra to explore the spiritual and philosophical depth of Shaolin culture, using dance to connect Western audiences with Eastern principles of discipline, harmony, and resilience. Through collaboration with Shaolin monks, he aimed to honor their heritage while creating a dialogue between tradition and contemporary art.