Off Stage - Emerging Voices

4 works-in-progress created by local and international artists, wrapped up its debut in an intimate, studio sharing titled 'Off Stage', as part of M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival at the studio of T.H.E Dance Company in Goodman Arts Centre. The audience turnout was overwhelming, that we managed to squeeze a rough estimate of 140 people into a small space during those 2 nights of performances (packed like sardines).

Luna(s) was the first piece to be presented in the line-up, where the senses of the audiences were heightened by the smell of incense and sage as they entered the studio. The symbolic sighting of an altar/shrine outside and inside gave the audience an insight into the roots of the piece, where Zunnur Zharifah (the choreographer) was exploring her spirituality, and her connection to it at this point in time. Danced by Chloe Chotrani and Lyn Hanis, Luna(s) explored various aspects of Soul Gazing, a tantric technique that gives practitioners an altered state of consciousness by gazing into the eyes to deepen intimacy.

H O M E S I C K was the 2nd in-line to the program, where the audience were re-directed to sit in an orientation of a semi-circle. The reason for such a change was to create the effect of a snow globe, where the audience is observing an event unfolding happening in front of their eyes, as if it was a cinematic experience. Even the specific use of the lights was to invoke a 'night-light' effect, intimate and personal. Performed by Maybelle Lek (hello!) and Charlene Clyde, the movements were technically demanding, with tricky lifts and intricate details. However, there were moments of stillness between the dancers. Leaving space in between for the voiceover to swell the space, and the music soundscape of the waves washing the space with nostalgia.

H A S E R, by local choreographer Syimah Sabtu, challenges societal norms and the co-existence of femininity and masculinity. In the beginning of the piece, there's a duality between the performers, as Syarifuddin Shari sits in the space, mimicking gestures of the audience as they watched. Feeling rather self-conscious, it brings about a comical element to the piece. Juxtaposing the comical, was Syimah herself tucked away in the corner of the studio, in a curled up position counting the numbers out in Malay. It was highly anxious, intense and felt like we were intruding on a private moment. Halfway through the piece, Jonit On enters from the carpark outside the studio, bringing a whole new level of depth to the otherwise conventional studio space.

Wrapping up the night was SILA, performed by Indonesian performer and choreographer Moh Hariyanto. As Moh enters the space from the audiences, he unzips his jacket in a rather mundane, pedestrian manner. There was a quick shift in energy in the atmosphere as he enters into his ritual of a prayer. Sustaining a high level of energy and intensity whilst remaining in lotus position. When asked about the motivations of his solo, he spoke about blessing the space and giving the audiences the energy that he feels in his core whenever he prays - for his family, his friends, the world and the people who witness his work.

4 very different works, 4 unique voices.

I would like to thank everyone who came and witness this program, and for the feedback that was given to the choreographers to support the continued explorations of these works. I'm looking forward to seeing all of these works evolving and growing into more full-length pieces. Who knows what the future holds?

Till then, there is another article coming up real soon explaining H O M E S I C K in depth, from the starting point to the processes. Stay tuned!