Aditi Mangaldas, Unwrapped, Within photo Toni Wilkinson |
Aditi Mangaldas, Within
A leading if controversial choreographer and teacher in the Indian Kathak dance tradition, Aditi Mangaldas has worked with international designers to present the two discrete works that comprise Within. Knotted is contemporary dance firmly rooted in Kathak. Evoking the tumultuous self-examination of Indian society in reaction to the Nirbhaya gang rape case of 2012, Mangaldas presents a relentless cascade of disjointed abstract movements. Individual and paired performances danced to the discordant industrial tones of the recorded soundtrack depict conflict and self-doubt eloquently expressed in the tortured repetition of arms reaching upward and bodies isolated in an island of light on a dark stage. Western dance movement is interspersed with rapid-footed whirls and arm movements straight out of Kathak, although the dancers never totally sacrifice traditional posture for the asymmetric poses demanded by the contemporary choreography. Ensemble sections appear particularly awkward, with conflict often conveyed through unevenly realised facial expressions. Kimie Nakano has designed the costumes in earthy colours, using a sombre palette and with the quintessential Kathak whirls emphasised by loose folds of cloth flying from the hips. Knotted is an interesting study in Kathak-Western dance fusion, but is unremarkable in execution. Capturing the restless spirit of contemporary Indian society, the work’s evocation of conflict is difficult to witness.
Aditi Mangaldas, Unwrapped, Within photo Toni Wilkinson |
Claire Cunningham, Guide Gods photo Toni Wilkinson |
Claire Cunningham, Guide Gods
In Guide Gods UK dancer Claire Cunningham welcomes everyone to share her discoveries about the attitudes of religions to physical disability. Her inclusive performance presents thoughts on karma, and theological interpretations of healing along with an explanatory narrative, movement and audio recordings (with screens for the deaf).
Cunningham’s practice is informed by her own disability and especially her use of crutches. She takes us slowly through the challenges presented by simple movements, ascending and descending stairs, carrying a tea cup, then carrying a tea tray with both hands. This slow and steady precision is later replaced by exuberant celebration of movement as her crutches enable her to “fly” about the performance space, the tips of the crutches following her body in ecstatic whirls around teacups positioned on the floor. Her movement responds to the stories she tells and sound recordings of her respondents expressing a range of religious beliefs and teachings in various countries. She finds that while prejudice and discrimination may exist within these cultures, their religious doctrines or belief systems do hold room for believers with disabilities to participate and celebrate. Alongside her usual strong advocacy for body-and-mind, Claire Cunningham opens up space for consideration of the soul.
Blackmarket, pvi collective photo Toni Wilkinson |
pvi, Blackmarket
Perth’s pvi collective takes us onto the streets of suburban Subiaco with their real-life gaming experience, Blackmarket. Participants are instructed to bring five items useful for survival. On arrival at Blackmarket headquarters we are briefed via a slickly edited video about how life is harsh and uncompromising in the wake of the great global economic collapse. We will need to use our five material possessions to survive by trading with existing providers of services and to develop our own skills to trade in turn with other players. We hand in our items, which are recorded into a smartphone app to allow us to trade out on the street. We then venture into the night to determine our chances of survival in a world without money.
The app provides a dynamic list of all skills and services currently on offer, with an audio description of the impact of each on our prospects for survival. On choosing an option we offer one of our items as payment, which may be accepted or declined by the trader offering the service. Earphones remain in ears at all times with a clear voice guiding, instructing and informing us, and featuring soundscapes evoking scenarios which are variously amusing, provocative, disturbing and alarming.
Blackmarket, pvi collective photo Toni Wilkinson |
High production values, interesting content and sharp delivery left Blackmarket audiences keenly aware of their place in the world and with a new appreciation for the conveniences and assurances that sustain us every day.
2016 Perth International Arts Festival: Aditi Mangaldas, Within, Heath Ledger Theatre, 11-14 Feb; Claire Cunningham, Guide Gods, Fly By Night, Victoria Hall
Burt Hall, St Georges Cathedral, 11-21 Feb; pvi, Blackmarket, Subiaco, 10-27 Feb
RealTime issue #131 Feb-March 2016 pg. web
© Nerida Dickinson; for permission to reproduce apply to [email protected]