18–24 Feb, 2–15 Sep
Normally walking in parallel coordination is an awkward experience, the same arm as leg moving forward in a bizarre Frankenstein manner. But believe it or not, this is the basis for a Yolngu (Northern Territory indigenous) woman’s ‘balancing’ step, where the arms move in relationship to the opposite hip as opposed to foot.
A complex graceful manoeuvre, this basis will provide the inspiration for an exploratory series of workshops to develop new contemporary vocabularies. Vicki, along with Gary Lang, Thomas Kelly and invited guests, will deconstruct and recontextualise this initial premise utilising various thematic, social and environmental stimuli in a series of layered physical problem-based tasks to engineer outcomes that will include partnerwork and gender relationships affecting posture, accent (hard/soft), musicality and muscularity.
Vicki Van Hout is an independent choreographer from the Wiradjuri nation, Western NSW.
NAISDA cultural residency Dhumbala community, Galiwinku (Elcho Island) NT. Photo courtesy Debra Shleger and NAISDA