DANTE AND THE POETRY OF DANCE

Date: Thursday 28 September

Time: 7pm-8pm (Doors open 6.45pm)

Facilitator: Robyn Johnston

Presenters:

• Emeritus Professor John Kinder OSI, internationally recognised linguist

• Raewyn Hill, Artistic Director of Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia and devisor and director of ARCHITECT OF THE INVISIBLE

• Richard Longbottom, dramaturg on ARCHITECT OF THE INVISIBLE

Dante and the Poetry of Dance, is a presentation that weaves together two beautiful art forms – poetry and dance. Dante Alighieri's 'Divine Comedy,' renowned for its intricate symbolism and profound exploration of the human experience, has inspired artists for centuries. We immediately conjure up the illustrations created by William Blake, Gustave Doré and Salvador Dalí, as well as the monumental work of sculptor Auguste Rodin.

'Divine Comedy' is considered one of the most influential pieces of literature in western history – the centrepiece for the modern Italian language which changed perceptions toward religion and the afterlife. It influenced the Renaissance, the Reformation and helped give us the modern world. Now we look to Dante’s poetry again to witness its reflection in our contemporary society and in the formation of a new dance work. It opens a realm of possibilities for a choreographer (in Raewyn Hill) to express the embedded themes of hope and endurance using dancers to paint an emotionally charged moving picture.

In this presentation, internationally recognised linguist Prof. John Kinder, will introduce us to Dante’s journey through Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso and will discuss how movement and dance are a central theme in the word pictures Dante creates. Co3 Artistic Director, Raewyn Hill, will talk about how this work inspired her and drove a new contemporary adaptation created with dramaturg Richard Longbottom. The presentation delves into the art of reinvention from written text to ideas and discussions, from a point of interpretation to a complete reinvention. Hill will talk through her development process and how she approached expressing these ideas of human existence through choreography and the role of music composition, set and costumes in the final work.

A fascinating opportunity to delve into the realms of creativity, imagination, and the dialogue that can exist between different artistic expressions.

ILLUMINATION LAUNCH

Supported by City of Perth

Immediately following the panel event, will be the official launch of THE CHAIN PROJECT illumination on the wall of the Old Goal at the Francis Street entry into the museum, from 8.15pm-8.30pm.

THE CHAIN PROJECT is an online community engagement initiative devised by Co3 Artistic Director, Raewyn Hill with video artist Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson. It asks participants  to share their thoughts after contemplating the moving image series 'in search of the Nightingale' and the themes of hope and endurance. The display of light projections will be available for evening viewing at WA Museum, Boola Bardip from 29 September, in the lead up to and during the World Premiere performance season of ARCHITECT OF THE INVISIBLE (11-15 October) in the Heath Ledger Theatre at State Theatre Centre of WA.