Dancenorth premieres Wayfinder, a post-pandemic celebration of art, music, dance and knitting

The humble artwork of knitting hardly ever usually takes the spotlight, but a new general performance by a person of Australia’s leading dance providers literally throws it onto centre stage. 

Dancenorth has premiered its creation of Wayfinder at the North Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville, weaving together modern dance, songs and art.

Additional than 100 volunteers arrived jointly in a collection of “knitting sittings” to generate the woollen set and props, which have been included into the choreography.

“A great number of balls of wool have been employed in the generating of this show,” affiliate designer Chloe Greaves said.

“Wayfinder as a do the job is about finding relationship soon after COVID, and it is the idea that the people of Townsville’s vitality and spirit has practically been finger-knitted into the function.”

The exhibit is a innovative collaboration of significant proportions.

Wayfinder characteristics the songs of Grammy-nominated Melbourne band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron Scullin, along with the vibrant artworks of celebrated Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango.

A single hundred speaker “orbs” will be scattered all over the viewers, allowing for light-weight and new music to pulsate through the group.

“The thought was born write-up-pandemic, and we accept the simple fact that there is so substantially worry and so a lot anxiousness and so a great deal isolation and length in the earth.

“We desired to generate an supplying that was truly counter to that encounter that folks have absent as a result of above the past two a long time, so this is a present, it is really a beacon of hope.”

Ms Greaves said the costumes were being all made from donated and recycled clothes and the wool experienced been acquired from op stores.

“Almost everything is 2nd hand and sustainable and also has a daily life in it by now, which is form of exciting because it speaks to the journey of the work,” she said.

Following its area debut in Townsville, Wayfinder will element at the Brisbane Festival in September, and the corporation intends to tour it internationally.

Dancer Marlo Benjamin reported the general performance was contrary to everything she had participated in ahead of.

“It is really a really great escape and vision for the future.”