This November, STRUT dance (WA) will be presenting the Eyes Wide open dance platform, a festival that is all about asking questions, opening minds and taking dance back to where it begins… the studio. With this in mind there is a focus on the process of creating work... so plenty of oppotunities to see work in development and hear artists talk about the choreographic process. All events will be held at the King Street Arts Centre in Perth.
The festival will begin with a solo work, Made In Taiwan, by Australian born, French-based choreographer, Joanne Leighton. She will then lead the public in creating a new work, to be entitled Made in Perth.
Next on the agenda is Dyuetto, a project first launched in 2007 that promotes cultural exchange between Australia and Asia, through duet. This year sees a collaboration between local Indigenous dance artist Simon Stewart and Vietnamese choreography, Tran Ly Ly. Alfira O’Sullivan, an artist of Acehnese descent, will contribute her expertise in Indonesian body-percussion to the sound-score. The artists will be mentored by Leigh Warren, artistic director of Leigh Warren and Dancers.
A new interstate network entitled Dance Sites has been formed between STRUT, NSW’s Critical Path and Vic’s Dancehouse. Inaugural Dance Sites choreographers Rhiannon Newton (WA), Fiona Bryant (Vic) and Kay Armstrong (NSW), their choreographers and Dance Sites facilitator Becky Hilton will present a series of formal and informal experiences for audience members. This includes first showings of works in development from Newton, Bryant and Armstrong.
STRUT has a tradition of presenting evenings of short works, and “In Short 2013”, curated by Unkempt Dance (WA), is a continuation of this tradition. The program includes eight new works by young and emerging local choreographers.
Another STRUT staple is its SEED residencies, for the creative development of new projects. “Seed Focus” is a free, one hour presentation that will see four SEED participants – Jo Pollitt, Praxis, Aimee Smith and Unkempt Dance - describe, promote and present excerpts from their respective projects.
Last but not least is Virtuosi, a feature-length documentary by Sue Healey. Virtuosi is an intimate video portrait of eight New Zealand dance artists and their pursuit of artistic careers in Berlin, London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville, and Brussels. Virtuosi is about the drive to be an artist – “a film for everyone'', says Healey. Virtuosi has been screened at film festivals around the world, notably Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand.
For more information about Eyes Wide, including booking info, click here.
Dark Matter by Praxis. Photo: Alexander Boynes.
Virtuosi. Photo: Lisa Densem.