Sabtu, 25 Juni 2022

Dancenorth premieres Wayfinder, a post-pandemic celebration of art, music, dance and knitting - ABC News

The humble art of knitting rarely takes the spotlight, but a new performance by one of Australia's leading dance companies literally throws it onto centre stage. 

Dancenorth has premiered its production of Wayfinder at the North Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville, weaving together contemporary dance, music and art.

More than 100 volunteers came together in a series of "knitting sittings" to create the woollen set and props, which have been incorporated into the choreography.

A group of dancers throws around colourful wool on stage
Dancenorth performers rehearse Wayfinder, which has premiered at the North Australian Festival of Arts. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

"Countless balls of wool have been used in the making of this show," associate designer Chloe Greaves said.

"Wayfinder as a work is about finding connection after COVID, and it's the idea that the people of Townsville's energy and spirit has literally been finger-knitted into the work."

A dancer sits on stage while holding five long coloured strands of wool
Wayfinder weaves together contemporary dance, music and art. (Supplied: Dancenorth)

The show is a creative collaboration of major proportions.

Wayfinder features the music of Grammy-nominated Melbourne band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron Scullin, alongside the colourful artworks of celebrated Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango.

One hundred speaker "orbs" will be scattered throughout the audience, allowing light and music to pulsate through the crowd.

A dancer dressed in green does a head-stand on a pile of colourful knitted wool
The dance company hopes to tour Wayfinder internationally as the world opens back up after COVID.(Supplied: Dancenorth)

"The idea was born post-pandemic, and we acknowledge the fact that there is so much fear and so much anxiety and so much isolation and distance in the world.

"We wanted to create an offering that was really counter to that experience that people have gone through over the last two years, so this is a gift, it's a beacon of hope."

Ms Greaves said the costumes were all created from donated and recycled garments and the wool had been purchased from op shops.

"Everything is second hand and sustainable and also has a life in it already, which is kind of exciting because it speaks to the journey of the work," she said.

A woman smiles while sewing a piece of orange fabric on a sewing machine
Designer Chloe Greaves has created the costumes for the performance from donated and recycled garments. (ABC News: Steve Keen)

After its local debut in Townsville, Wayfinder will feature at the Brisbane Festival in September, and the company intends to tour it internationally.

Dancer Marlo Benjamin said the performance was unlike anything she had participated in before.

"It's a really nice escape and vision for the future."

Dancers lay stacked against each other with their arms outstretched above them
Dancenorth, based in Townsville, is one of Australia's leading contemporary dance companies. (ABC North Qld: Lily Nothling)

Posted , updated 

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIyLTA2LTI1L3Rvd25zdmlsbGUtZGFuY2Vub3J0aC13YXlmaW5kZXItYmxlbmRzLW11c2ljLWRhbmNlLWtuaXR0aW5nLW5hZmEvMTAxMTgwNTM40gEA?oc=5

2022-06-25 00:34:30Z
1477417266

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar