'Hanging In The Balance'

What began as the role of an understudy and eventually being a part of the main cast is a really humbling experience. 'Hanging In The Balance' explores the middle ground between strength and fragility. Highly physical, visceral and dynamic, this is Isabella's first choreography on other bodies. When I spoke briefly to Isabella about how she feels, she seemed very excited to be presenting her first work here in Singapore, especially knowing how daunting it can be to translate her own personal movement qualities and preferences onto us, not to mention the language barrier. But that does not stop all of us from doing what is needed for the piece to come alive.

“Each of us wants to appear stronger, brave and self-confident in front of people, but inside we have our fragilities. Behind the fragility, there is a big power,” - Isabella Giustina, a choreographer from Florence, Italy.

Photo by Malcolm Fu

In the first week of creation, we learnt 3 group phrases which were then scattered throughout the duration of the piece in admist the different duets, trios, quartets and quintet sections. We each created our own solos based upon 3 different qualities - strength/force, fragility and the mix of the two. As a dancer/performer, Isabella is highly dynamic and versatile with a strong use of the centre as the powerhouse of force. She isn't afraid to fly across the floor, leap, roll, tumble, even fall as she believes that the body is very communicative in conveying a message or an idea.

This piece pushes the physicality of our bodies, where we eventually submit into the tiredness and exhaustion, allowing our bodies to be vulnerable and fragile. Moments of group strength and unity feels empowering, almost.

Photo by Malcolm Fu

It has been such a pleasure working with Isabella, and understanding her ideas and physicality. It is very different to my default, and it adds a new layer of vocabulary and tenacity into our intentions and movements.

Check out Isabella's interview as she explains more, in her own words:

http://the-contact.org/2019/06/08/hanging-in-the-balance-bts/?fbclid=IwAR3qqZvJZAaL1AYsIyvu3_iF5Z1D70CJ73l2L6WXvLkWsJL8YCFuP9dRjN8