16 Apr 2023
Cahoots LabImplications
Description
Cahoots Lab 2023: work-in-progress performance
This is the first public showing of ‘Implications’, a contemporary dance piece born out of two years of movement investigation. ‘Implications’ is an abstract, process-based work that aims to centre dance without music, props or narrative, creating space for countless interpretations.
Ashlee has been developing a reflective, solo improvisation and writing practice for the last 2 years, preoccupied with crafting abstract dance that can stand on its own as accessible and inherently communicative, inviting audiences to connect the witnessing of human movement to their own embodied, kinaesthetic experience. In other words, Ashlee wants audiences to see dancers as like them, not different to them.
Over the last few months, she began transitioning to sharing her process with other thinking bodies and creating performances. Recently, Ashlee spent 2 weeks full-time in the studio with Beth Lane, creating the first draft of ‘Implications’ as a duet for performance. Working without music, the dancers use a meditation app to structure their practice, moving through movement “scores” designed to elicit certain tones and textures in their bodies and challenge their attentional capacity and endurance. They are experimenting with integrating written text that was generated during the creative process as an additional ‘hook’ for the piece.
Ashlee would like to thank QL2 Dance, artsACT, Ausdance ACT, Sara Black and Courtney Scheu for their support and contributions to this project.
SUNDAY 16 APRIL | 5PM-7PM | COURTYARD STUDIO, CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE | FREE EVENT | REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
ASHLEE BYE
I am an independent dance artist and a member of the Australian Dance Party. Much of my practice revolves around improvisation, site-specific performance or both, and I am driven by my belief in the communicative potential of human movement. I am big on process, experimentation, and creating immersive, playful experiences for audiences, and find myself drawn to concepts of place, communication and memory.
Ashlee was a Cahoots resident in 2022.
This work is performed in a small, black box theatre.
Throughout this meditative, immersive experience, the artists encourage you to engage fully with your own experience, let go of trying to “get it” or understand anything, even to let your attention wander and refocus throughout.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend, whether you know a lot, a little or nothing about dance. After the work is performed, the artists will ask you some questions about your experience, which you will be able to share in a group discussion, or via an online feedback form.
The performance will take place in the Courtyard Theatre at the Canberra Theatre Centre (Courtyard Theatre is outside of the main complex, down a little alleyway to the left of Canberra Theatre if you are facing the front entrance).
If you have questions or access requirements, please email Ono Chowdhury at access@youareherecanberra.com.au or call 0450 904 282.
Photo credit: Olivia Wikner Photography
