This episode of 7CITY features JU-EH, international performer, producer, and other-worldly being. Join us as we learn what makes him tick, what drives him, and what delights him.
Described as a ‘powerful, mysterious force’ by Parterre and ‘gleaming like a glowing orb’ by Opera Wire, JU-EH is one of our favorite creators we’ve had the pleasure to encounter! He is a self-described ‘male soprano turned interdisciplinary creator’, who specializes in developing non-human roles in contemporary opera. Everything about this individual speaks of freedom of expression--even his name, ‘JU-EH’, is an alter-identity to his real name, enabling him the separation to speak freely of his experiences as a Southern Chinese opera singer in Western Europe and America.
JU-EH's work as a composer, director, improviser and content creator has birthed genre-bending projects that defy traditional limitations. His one-man improvisatory opera, Asian Casta Diva, premiered this past fall on Clubhouse; it is the first non-visual opera to be created within a digital networking platform. In this episode, we explore the stimulus that spurned Asian Casta Diva into existence, as well as some of the underlying creative issues, tips and tricks that JU-EH recommends for any 21st century artist.
JU-EH’s Artist Statement:
I am a male soprano turned interdisciplinary creator. JU-EH is an alter-identity to my real name Juecheng Chen. My works speak of my experience growing up in Southern China, being rejected in Western Europe as an opera singer and redeeming myself as a creative New Yorker.
I think of my voice as sculpture. It takes a particular space, pace and viewpoint for a particular project. I build stages and seek creative resonance in various collaborations as a medium. I merge my voice with design and performance art to create immersive storytelling.
Instead of being about opera, I would like to center around the deepest part of who I am as an ever-changing opera, providing myself as a leader for a world that is about human connections and creative perspectives challenging existing definitions of who we are.
Find JU-EH:
Website
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