SUZIK (Queens)

Suzik—the Korean word for verticality—is a Chinese pole performance that reimagines the vertical as a space of connection, trust, and collective movement. Three performers navigate the precarious heights of the pole, entering a world where balance depends on the presence, strength, and care of others.

Against the force of gravity, Suzik explores a different way of moving upward: not through individual ascent, but through shared momentum. The performers reach, support, and respond to one another, transforming moments of risk into acts of trust and possibility.

Suzik extends its exploration of connection beyond the pole itself, transforming each public setting into a place of encounter and shared experience. As the performers reshape the vertical structure of the pole into a site of relationship and reciprocity, the work invites audiences to imagine new ways of moving through the world together.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Citizen Arts International transforms New York City's public spaces into vibrant stages for free international performance, participatory art, and cultural exchange. Bringing art into everyday life across the boroughs, the festival fosters civic engagement and strengthens social connection.

The Citizen Arts International Festival is produced in partnership with Citizen Arts and Education and the Ukrainian Museum, in affiliation with Social Practice CUNY, with special thanks to the PhD Theatre + Performance Program at the CUNY Graduate Center.

www.citizenartsinternational.org

@citizenartsinternational

About Culture Lab LIC:

Culture Lab LIC unites people through arts, culture, and community, creating a vibrant hub that reflects the spirit and diversity of Queens. For over five years, it has grown into a multifaceted home for artists across disciplines, community members, and mission-driven nonprofits, offering space, resources, and a strong sense of belonging.

As a cornerstone of Long Island City—one of the U.S.'s fastest-growing, most dynamic neighborhoods—Culture Lab LIC champions arts and culture amid rapid social change. Our diverse programs, including cultural festivals, art exhibitions, live music, dance, and theater, celebrate Queens' rich cultural fabric. Located along the stunning waterfront near Manhattan, Long Island City boasts the largest concentration of art galleries in Queens, thriving as a cultural hotspot.

Renowned for dynamic, inclusive programming, Culture Lab LIC hosts live outdoor concerts featuring top musicians across jazz, classical, indie, and world music, fostering shared artistic experiences. Beyond music, we offer cutting-edge theater, thought-provoking visual arts, and engaging community events that inspire and connect neighborhoods.

Our annual residency program provides performing artists with free rehearsal and performance space to develop new work, showcased at the acclaimed New Works Festival. Artists retain full creative rights and ticket proceeds, directly benefiting from their efforts. Since its inception, the program has supported over 20 original works, enriching the community with groundbreaking performances.

Through these initiatives, Culture Lab LIC remains dedicated to celebrating Queens' cultural richness and supporting the artists and communities that make it thrive.

https://www.culturelablic.org