By Derek Schlennstedt
X marks the spot for hidden treasure and the aptly named ‘Dance X’ exhibition opening at the Yarra Ranges Museum on 10 May is certainly one of those treasures.
From the subtle to the obvious, Dance X places the spectator at the epicentre of this unique experience and gives them the control to explore and engage the body in different states of physical, sensorial, and mental experiences that transcend the boundaries between dance and every day.
Over three years local artists Gareth Hart, Gulsen Ozer and Viv Rogis have developed the participatory exhibition, tweaking and fine-tuning it into an esoteric experience for the audience.
Each aspect has been created for a purpose and all three artists agreed that that the exhibition was like no other they had ever undertaken, with the exhibition including various participatory elements.
This element of involvement by the audience was an idea that all artists found difficult to grapple with.
“Imagining someone else as the performer was quite difficult … I had to imagine the person who comes in to see it, they are the performer and they are the one moving through that space. So how do we facilitate that,” said Viv Rogis.
“How do you invite people to participate – they are both audience and performer – whereas usually there is a much clearer delineation between those experiences,” Gareth Hart said.
The thought provoking participatory installation was specifically created for the Yarra Ranges museum and the artists have drawn inspiration from the Yarra Ranges cultural and physical landscapes.
Each facet of the installation is a creation and figment of all three artists own desires and experiences of the Yarra Ranges which are presented through a series of real world and virtual technology activities.
Gareth Hart, local artist, choreographer and dance performer said that the installation offered audiences a new way to see dance and offer a new way to experience it in a safe space.
“Dance is definitely a theme but it’s a new way of looking at it and a new way to participate in something dance related that’s not too intimidating, it’s not going to a dance class or doing a performance but in a safe and friendly environments.”
The free exhibition is an enthralling delight for the senses with virtual technology experiences and various activities offering the opportunity to explore both the physical and virtual realms of dance.
The free exhibition runs from 10 May until Sunday 30 July, 10am to 4pm daily.
Various workshops by the artists will be taking place throughout the exhibition period and you can find more information on the dates at http://bit.ly/2qd5Y5D.
