Glow

Talent: Chunky Move

Date of Review: Friday, 23 March 2007

Venue: The Studio, Sydney Opera House, March 21 - 25 2007

photo of glow

Beneath the glow of a sophisticated video tracking system, a lone organic being mutates in and out of human form into unfamiliar, sensual and grotesque creature states.

This dance performance might convert you.

Chunky Move's Glow is a ground breaking fusion of computer generated technology and dance. Other companies have used fancy light shows and music, but this is truly something else.

For the non-fans of modern dance, this might just set you on a voyage of discovery into a new, exciting world of possibilities. From start to finish, there is no other place to focus than on the dancer and the extraordinary visual art effects that follow her movements on the floor for the short - but totally engrossing - 26 minutes of performance time.

The work is a collaboration of choreography by Artistic Director Gideon Obarzanek and the interactive software genius of Frieder Weiss. The effect reached is akin to a dancer interacting with and creating a totally engaging array of light effects. The accompanying music adds to the overall effect that draws you into the life of the mutating, organic being that has blended with a digital, computerised world.

This might also be a performance for you if you're worried that you'll need a long attention span and an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of modern dance.

Obarzanek has proven again he's capable of making dance exciting, accessible and innovative while not leaving you behind or frustrated and wondering 'what was all about?'. It's so entertaining, so rich in visual and physical art, I was almost glad it was only 26 minute long - it might have led to sensory overload. To lengthen the performance would certainly require a new dancer and new themes and lighting.

You may not be surprised by the essential themes within the piece, but I was taken aback by the culmination of the whole work.

Don't just take my humble word for it.

Rachel Wilson is a fourth year Dance Education student at the Australian College of Physical Education. Her whole class was there on assignment for their Dance and Technology subject, and I was curious to know her reactions post performance.

"Beforehand, I was not too sure what to expect, but I was intrigued by the idea of the light installations, and I reckon it's brilliant.. I really liked that it was pushing new boundaries and taking dance further. Technology is advancing and, with this performance, so is dance. The technology is showing that it can extend, enhance and even exaggerate movement. It just makes you realise that there are endless possibilities."

I agree with her, and I think you will too.

Performers: Kristy Ayre, Sara Black, Lina Limosani.

Creative Personnel Credits: Concept and Choreography, Gideon Obarzanek. Concept and Interactive System Design: Frieder Weis. Music and Sound Design, Luke Smiles. Additional music, Ben Frost. Costume Designer, Paula Levis

- Martin Corben

Related Web site: http://www.chunkymove.com/GLOW_001.HTML

Director/Producer/Editor: Gideon Obarzanek

Duration: 26 mins

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