Mesmerizing and enthralling, ENCODED is a powerful and hypnotic, at times almost trancelike work that combines fabulous contemporary dance, aerial acrobatics and the latest in computer images and technology.
Described as ‘a meditation on fragility’, ENCODED features an immersive aerial dance installation and performance that uses the latest interactive technologies to build a projected digital environment that responds to the movements of the performers. The images dissolve and reform as the performers sweep across the space.
The four performers (Lee-Anne Litton , Miranda Wheen ,Rick Everett and Timothy Ohl) are amazing and give breathtaking performances. They are coolly neutral and rather expressionless in their work.
For about half of the show,when they are wearing the three-pronged pointed alien like contraptions (the ‘ virtual costumes’ ) , they are in grey sleeveless tops and long pants. Then they remove the pants to reveal almost underwear giving a short leotard like ‘line’.
The interactive fluid simulations are triggered by the infrared tracking of dancers and aerialists – and they also use some very sophisticated VJ software to capture the wall they perform on. Mixed with all of this technology are the wonderful Virtual Costumes – with self-mounted laser projectors that change the performers continually before one’s eyes.
The work opens and closes with a solitary performer in a strange three part prong like headdress, very futuristic, alien-like in appearance – the Virtual Costume.
The dance is accompanied by Kennard’s music which features a pulsating ,throbbing,crashing score.
Computer dots are generated by the headdress and various patterns are visible on the dancer’s body. Two other dancers emerge from the gloom, also wearing somewhat insect like contraptions. (The back of the design for the Virtual Costume is also quirky).
The dancers are walking computer screens, we see various marvelous textures , swirls and then at one point what seem to be green x-rays of the body.
On the back wall there are various computer dot projections that become an interactive swirling galaxy .The cast throw themselves on the wall, which moves and interacts and it appears they almost vanish into the swirls.
Norton’s choreography ranges from Circus Oz/Cirque du Soliel like dangerous aerial acrobatics to very demanding contemporary dance. At one point the dancers seem to ‘fly’ into the audience. At other times they curl into themselves or hang like bats or sides of meat , and do handstands, or use the aerial strap as a neck-rest ..
They soar, twist, unroll with a snap and do dangerous headstands as well. In another of the aerial acrobatic sections they lie horizontally above the stage .There is a section that is quite reminiscent of Bonachela’s work and a later section that is very Wayne McGregor like.
The dance features rolling floorwork and some sensational pas de deux and/or pas de quatre . Some excellent unison work and mirroring is also included, with lunges, sculptural flowing pas de deux and some unusual weight balances (the women supporting the men in develope to arabesque and promenade for example).
Somewhat early in the piece there is an exhilarating part where the dancers seem to walk on the wall , becoming part of the projections. In another part, with bleak spare lighting, the cast are freeze like against the wall. Later there are dandelion like patterns…then long sharp thin lines , then what looks like a studded wall in a life, and eventually a blank wall with dotted squares . The work ended, cyclically and rather inconclusively, with one dancer at the end resuming a Virtual Costume and staring at the audience.
Summing up, ENCODED was an astonishing, captivating performance. Catch it at Carriageworks now! The season opened on Thursday 28th November and runs until Saturday 1st December , 2012.
© Lynne Lancaster
Tags: Sydney Dance Reviews- ENCODED, Carriageworks, Sydney Arts Guide, Lynne Lancaster