Aida Redza is one of Malaysia’s leading contemporary dancers and choreographers. Based in Penang, she is the founder of WindRiver Productions, the artistic principal of Studio Pentas and a member of Ombak-Ombak ARTStudio. Renowned for creating multimedia performances, Aida’s notable works that traces the Semangat includes Seruan Nadi – The Battle Cry of a Dying River (2021), Semangat – Restu Padi (2020) and Reclaim (2019)
Aida has a strong commitment to international creative collaborations. She was the director of a workshop for international collaboration presented at the Tokyo Festival Asia Performing Arts Forum in 2016, and this led her to establish TradeWinds Arts Exchange to foster cultural relations between Penang and Japan, featuring her work with the celebrated Noh master Naohiko Umewaka. Drawing on Moved by Padi, the LIVING Project is an international collaboration Aida co-produced with Artpedia from Thailand. The resulting productions are Rise to Rice (Act Up, Chiang Mai, 2019), Rice Up! (Malaysian Organic Conference, 2019) and the LIVING Showcase (Empty Space, Chiang Mai, 2020).
She was last seen performing in Hanyut (Alliance Francaise, 2022), Angin Ombulan (Georgetown Festival, 2022), Ibuki Hati (Georgetown Festival 2021), Mengimbau (Tropical Spice Garden 2021), Semangat – Restu Padi (2020), Wandering Padi (Ansan Street Arts Festival, South Korea, 2019), Entranced: A Mystical Gathering (Hamamatsu, Japan, 2018), Call and Response: The Spaces Between (Penang, 2018), Entranced: An Evening with a Ghost (DiverseCity KL International Arts Festival, 2017), The Italian Restaurant (George Town Festival, 2017) and Moved By Padi (Georgetown Festival 2016). In April 2022, she was seen performing together with Kamal Sabran in Ssegar Angin at the 59th International Venice Art Bienalle
Aida continues to evolve as a socially engaged artist committed to creating performances that are inclusive and collaborative, situated between art and the every day, to raise awareness and advocate for the causes she believes in.
In 2018 Aida was named Kakiseni’s Gamechanger at the 15th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards
What is you idea of perfect happiness?
To be able to live naturally in the woods or by the sea without fear of living alone.
What is you greatest fear?
Not being able to survive on my own.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Violence and hate. People who hurt and harm others, and our environment and animals.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Organic food.
What is your favourite journey?
Travelling with Lear production (Asian version) across South East Asia. (A production by Ong Kheng Sen of Theatre Works).
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Being a YB.
On what occasions do you lie?
To avoid hurting someone.
Which living person do you most admire?
Khoo Salma (a fifth generation Penang Peranakan and a writer, publisher and heritage advocate).
What makes you sad?
Slaughtering of animals especially on celebration days
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Collaborations.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My parents; my children; my pets.
When and where were you happiest?
North Carolina, USA. Experiencing a pow wow festival (a day of competition dancing, music, vendors, and fun showcasing the incredible legacy and culture of Indigenous (Cherokee) communities living in North Carolina).
Which talent would you most like to have?
To sing.
What is your current state of mind?
Surrender to the moment and trust the universe to guide me.
If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?
Secure myself with a more stable career so that I could care for my parents better.
What do you consider your greatest achievements?
Planting the Padi field at Maccallum.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
A historian.
What and when is your next professional engagement?
End of July, 28th & 29th for George Town Festival (GTF) – Bhumimata.
Who is your favourite writer?
Mislina Mustaffa. (Born in Ipoh, Perak, Mislina Mustaffa is arguably one of the most controversial and recognizable artists in Malaysia).
What are your favourite names?
Luna, Haili, Rex & Aida!
What is it that you most dislike?
Reclamation and developers.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a loving mother and wise guru.
What is your motto?
Bangkitkan semangat. (Wake up the spirit).
