‘The drum is the heartbeat of the lion. It brings energy, ferociousness and liveliness to the performance.’ – Jin Wu Koon Dragon & Lion Dance Association 澳洲振武館龍獅團

Both a ceremonial custom and a dynamic sport, lion dancing is a
cultural practice that spans generations and continents.

Object Lesson is a Powerhouse digital content series that upends and inverts the legacy of a set of lesson cards held in the collection since 1880. Named for English educator. Elizabeth Mayo’s 1831 publication Lessons on Objects, the series is underpinned by a desire to learn more about the objects in our collection from people and communities who have special relationships with them.

‘Knowledge stems not only from teacher or institution or object alone — but at the intersection of all.’ – Agatha Gothe-Snape, Powerhouse artistic associate

Commissioned by the Powerhouse

Director: David Ma
Producer: Georgia Noe
Executive Producer: Callum Cooper
Director of Photography: Jack McAvoy
First Assistant Camera: Cameron Robertson

Production Designer: Abbey Ling Thorley
Gaffer: Nico Nalbandian
Sound Recordist: Stuart Melvey, Mara Schwerdtfeger
Editor: David Ma
Colorist: Yanni Kronenberg
Fire VFX: Kenneth Zeng
Score, Sound Design & Mix: Mara Schwerdtfeger
Title Design: Sylvia Zheng

Featuring
Chan Cheuk Fai

Performers
Willis Koh
Ivan Lim
William Tan
Raymond Chen
Danny Vuu
Helen Le
Jefferson Nguyen Ang
Tony Sun
Aiden Sun
Titan Sun

Archival Stills and Footage
Chan Cheuk Fai
Sherman Grinberg Library via Getty Images
Sony Pictures Entertainment via Getty Images

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