Jack Gray Dance - View from the Gods
Media Release August 8, 2006
Triple spin on Maori arts partnership
Finding harmonious links between three different performance genres inspired a trio of Maori contemporary artists for their show 'View from the Gods' premiering on 16 September during the Body Festival in Christchurch, followed by its Auckland debut on 5 October during the Tempo Festival.
Interweaving three autonomous yet connected bodies of work, was the brainchild of contemporary dance artist Jack Gray (Ngati Porou/Ngapuhi) who crossed creative pathways with young Auckland freelancers, electronic composer Eden Mulholland (Ngati Uepohatu) and video artist Ron-London Haretuku (Ngapuhi).
Supported by a Te Whakahaungia Choreographic Commission from Toi Maori Aotearoa, each artist was posed a unique challenge of interpreting the theme of space and time continuums within a set structure of twelve 5-minute sequences. 'View from the Gods' has a refreshingly abstract approach to Maori performance art by subtly revealing varying artistic and cultural perspectives.
Three professional dancers intertwine their limbs amidst pockets of light and sound to create mesmerising patterns of movement and energy. A suspended Manu (bird) kite is projected upon with video imagery that symbolises colour spectrums shifting between spiritual realms of the Maori.
Jack Gray Dance are rapt to premiere 'View from the Gods' in Christchurch for the Body Festival in September and then take the work to Auckland's Tempo Dance Festival in October.
'View from the Gods' is an exciting major new work from vibrant contemporary dance artist, Jack Gray. Only 29, Gray's choreographic experience extends across three continents over the past decade, including stints in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Malta, Serbia and Taiwan. Gray recently performed in Christchurch as a dancer in the succesful "Maui - Against the Gods" production.
Performances:
CHRISTCHURCH, 16 ,18 September at 8pm
Great Hall, Christchurch Arts Centre, Worcester Street
Tickets $18 waged/$15 unwaged
Bookings: Court Theatre (03) 963 0870
Website: http://www.thebody.co.nz
AUCKLAND, 5 ,8 October at 8pm
Tapac Theatre, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs
Tickets $18 waged/$15 unwaged
Bookings: Ticketek (09) 307 500
Website: http://www.tempo.co.nz
For media enquiries, contact publicist Jack Gray
Phone: + 212547153
Email: jgrayjnr@gmail.com