We’ve all done it, oh yes we have – dancing to our own beat, in our own style – on our very own. And sometimes in the dark…
Last week dancer and choreographer Emma Saunders was in the NORPA Studio developing a new solo movement work Dancing With Myself.
The piece is one woman’s journey through space and time, where she has no space, and is completely out of time with what’s around her. This includes an extended abstract solo sequence where she is attempting to choreograph her instinct, and to explore further how movement can reveal its own narrative.
Saunders is also working at the relationship between dance and ‘reality’, demonstrating the ability (or lack there of) to be in a dancer’s zone yet still relate to the immediate surroundings – dancing what you feel while maintaining a conversation that makes some sort of sense. Sort of.
As part of her research Emma, a NORPA Associate Artist in residence, invited guests into the space, including NORPA Associate Director Kirk Page, Josephine Saunders (her mum), and Kimberley McIntryre.
Last Friday Emma performed the work in progress to a small audience at the NORPA Studio. Part interactive, part outeractive, part meditational movement, part pretty mental and part who-the-hell-knows, Saunders was warm and welcoming, sometimes a confused show off and sometimes just a show off, but always moving and growing in front of your eyes – the piece was mesmerising, voyeuristic and tiring to watch: comedic, elastic and slightly breathtaking on more than one level.
Fore more information about Emma Saunders and other Artists in Residence, visit the NORPA website
Photos Tree Faerie
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