Dancenorth is a collective based in Townsville (Gurambilbarra) and is described as a centre for dance making, collaboration and artistic exchange, based on the lands of the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, and the Bindal of Thul Garrie Waja. Led by Artistic Director, Kyle Page, Executive Director Hillary Coyne and Associate Artistic Director Amber Haines, Dancenorth is an integral part of the Australian dance ecology making a significant contribution to the dance sector and building literacy around contemporary dance nationally.
Their latest work, Wayfinder, currently playing at Mona Foma, before touring the country, recognises connection to country as a central axis of the universe. Teaming up with Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango, award winning Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin, the result is a stunning kaleidoscope of music and dance.
Opening with a solitary figure sitting on a darkened stage holding a glowing orb, the traditional “Welcome to Country” reminds us of the importance of water to our bodies, ourselves and our lands. The dance troupe then launch on stage, with a cacophony of energy, before being showered with a multitude of brightly coloured woven strands of string. These yarn pieces are the result of Hiromi Tango’s work with the Gurambilbarra community, who finger knitted most of it. A slow strobing of the lights presents montages of the dancers in various poses with the coloured strings.
The dancers ebb and flow throughout the piece, gathering and interacting with the yarn, reflecting the ebb and flow of water in our world. Sometimes calm, sometimes tempestuous. The yarn is gathered and hoisted like a net, with orbs that reminded me of fishing floats. These orbs were also randomly scattered throughout the audience and began to glow and emit sounds of the the land and sea. It became truly immersive as you could hear the sounds washing around the auditorium.
One could almost imagine the dancers as fishlike with their extraordinary energy and flexibility on the stage. At one point it became apparent that their brightly coloured garb could form a rainbow, another water symbol. The yarn itself became a mesmerising wave of energy, flowing to a single dancer before suddenly being drawn in. A large coloured platform becomes a floating coral sea perhaps. The dramatic and bold visuals worked seamlessly with the captivating music of Haitus Kaiyote and the lighting design of Niklas Pajanti. The troupe worked as one or indiviually to create stunning visual patterns.
As a collective work, this sensory piece comes together seamlessly in a powerful and dynamic way that leaves an impression long after the curtain falls. It is beautifully executed and a feast for the senses.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended opening night on Feb 22nd.
Wayfinder plays at Mona Foma at Hobart’s Theatre Royal until Feb 24th before heading out on tour across Australia. For more information check the Dancenorth website.
