Meet Lu Wang | Dancer & choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lu Wang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lu, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor in my success has been a clear understanding of myself. I have always been digging deep into my own inner desires. You may find that sometimes people deceive themselves subconsciously. So, they sometimes overlook what they truly want deep inside. Take a moment to ask yourself, what is it that you really want? Is it compliance under a set of rules, or is it a true longing deep within your own heart? I think truly understanding oneself is very important. This has also been the direction of my exploration. I am exploring myself—my personality, choices, preferences, judgments, desires, and more. Once I have a clear understanding of my inner self and have conversed with it, I make my choices about which path to take. Sometimes it also depends on how people define success, whether it’s conventional success or success in your own terms. Is it about following the so-called “rules,” or is it about living out your true self? Everything is about self-exploration and choice.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an multi-disciplinary artist, currently focusing on dance and choreography. Since childhood, art has been a constant companion; it’s not something foreign to me, but a part of my very blood. I don’t like rules, words, or concrete things. I love to feel, to listen, and to explore the unknown. I like to use the heart of an artist to feel and create my own world. Dance is of significant meaning to me; it is one of the ways I use to feel and create the world. When I stand on stage, under the spotlight, with music playing, I enter a state of self-forgetfulness. At that moment, it seems I am no longer in the real world but in a space of my own. I really cherish this immersive feeling. I like to break through myself, accepting and creating new things. In the process of exploring dance, I am also endlessly exploring my inner self. Abstraction is clearer to me than concrete things because I like to experience feelings. I like to delve into deep emotions, perhaps some kind of emotion, or maybe a connection. Along the way, I feel very successful because I know I am always pursuing what my heart truly desires. Challenges never come from the outside; they are what I seek for myself. I love challenges, because through countless challenges, I can continuously break through and become a better version of myself. What I am most proud of is that I can live out the most authentic version of myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m currently in New York. If a friend comes to visit, I would take them to explore the area around Hudson Yards. There, you’ll find many art galleries and museums with new artworks displayed periodically. We could stroll through the galleries to see the art, and then sit in a nearby café to chat about our impressions and life. It’s simple and beautiful. For me, experiencing art with friends is very important and delightful. Later, we could visit some theaters to watch dance performances or concerts. The charm of New York is that you can always discover something new. You might walk the same streets every day, but for me, each experience feels fresh. In fact, there’s no need to go anywhere special; just wandering around the city can make us feel its allure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In my world, I’ve always been looking for someone who can truly walk alongside me. My best friend Yuxi means a lot to me. She is a little mentor in my life, an emotional support, and a reliable friend who walks the path with me. In the world of art, rigid rules may be the most useless things. My friend is also someone who can break free from rules and live out her own essence. Together, we view the world through an artistic lens, discovering its beauty. I enjoy thinking on my own, as well as engaging in deep conversations with friends. She provides me with more artistic inspiration and more possibilities. Most importantly, it’s her inclusiveness and open-mindedness that attract me and motivate me to keep moving forward. Sometimes, I don’t want to use the label “friend” to describe our relationship. I think “connection” is a more fitting word. Alone, I live a splendid life; I love to think and explore. But when you have a companion, your life becomes even more splendid. The interaction with another person, who has different experiences and ways of thinking, can bring more interesting elements. This is also a part of my exploration.

Instagram: luluuuuw_