A new dance work by Van Huynh Company explores how protest and community can offer a path through despair
Dam Van Huynh is no stranger to the idea of disruption. As a child, his family fled Vietnam, a journey that has shaped his perspective on what it means to be displaced and to find a voice. His new work, Exquisite Noise, is a powerful exploration of how people can come together and make a sound in the face of injustice. It’s a reminder that even when things feel hopeless, our collective ability to speak up gives us power.
The Politics of Sound and Assembly
The performance uses both sound and visual noise as a form of activism. Van Huynh creates an overwhelming sensory experience that serves as a jarring reminder of how fragile our freedoms are—our rights to protest, to gather, and to speak our minds. He draws on historical and cultural examples, from the use of the Cacerolazo in South America to the ongoing resistance in Myanmar, showing how noise can be a tool for change.
“Noise belongs to everyone, and it has the capacity to disrupt and highlight important issues,” Van Huynh explains. “I see our ability to assemble and call to action as what makes us unique, special and human. This piece is a reminder that we must continue to have these hard discussions, bring issues to light, and sometimes it may feel heavy, but we will not shy away from standing up for what is special about our society.”
The piece uses a “collaging” approach, bringing together different elements including movement, sound, light, and even objects. It also incorporates quotations from notable figures like Robert Rauschenberg and Marina Abramović, amplifying a community of voices that have challenged the status quo throughout history. The work celebrates the simple but profound idea that we are not alone in our struggles.
Exquisite Noise is a tribute to the united voices that have sparked debates and inspired change across generations. It’s a dance between disorder and solidarity, an invitation to awaken our collective spirit in an act of community and care.
Exquisite Noise will have its London premiere at The Place on October 10, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a poignant work that challenges and inspires. Tickets are available now.
Booking details:
Venue: The Place, 17 Duke’s Road, London, WC1H 9PY
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 7.30 PM (Pre-show talk at 7 PM for all ticket holders)
Tickets: You can book your tickets on The Place website.
Photo: redManhattan Photography
