This review is written by Guest Blogger Leslie Heydon:
I had the privilege to witness an excerpt from “IHU” presented Tuesday at the Aki Studio as part of CPAMO’s 10th Anniversary. In the language of the Kamayura people of Brazil, IHU means everything which can be heard and includes the supernatural, the sound of spirits and the magical beings of the forest. “IHU” choreographed by Newton Moraes and mentored by Jean Sasportes (Pina Bausch Wuppertal Tanztheater) represents his personal journey of self-discovery, acceptance of all aspects of his spirit, and triumph over prejudice through the development of his spiritual self. After his partner passed away in 2008, Moraes wanted to leave everything and go back to Brazil. This challenging phase in his life was the inspiration for the creation of “IHU”, a tribute to Robert Shirley. The excerpt of “IHU” I saw was a solo dance performed by Newton Moraes with lighting design by Gabriel Cropley.
Moraes’ performance was physically high energy and paired with deeply rhythmic music it projected an urgency that held my rapt attention. During part of the piece, he donned a clear plastic face mask that referenced feminine ideals of beauty. By partially obscuring his face the mask conveyed a sense of disconnection and discomfort. It spoke to me of the brittle pretext of outer world coping contrasted with an internal struggle. While wearing the mask, Moraes interacted with audience members creating a sense of connection that was both comforting and gave me an unsettled feeling of apprehension. This juxtaposition of contrasting emotions elicited through the mask and Moraes’ visceral movement style was compelling and I feel represents the crazy ride of grief in which so many contrasting emotions come in waves. Moraes’ performance was powerful yet vulnerable and thus poignant.
I look forward to seeing one of Moraes’ full length works.
Leslie Heydon
Leslie Heydon has a bachelor’s degree from U of T (Major in Psychology, Specialty in Fine Arts). Leslie trained as an Expressive Arts Therapist at the CREATE Institute and worked in addictions for over 10 years in specialized programs for women and black youth, providing individual therapy and facilitating groups. Her passion is to explore and guide others to explore the internal wilderness of the soul.
Kathleen Rea danced with Ballet Jörgen Canada, National Ballet of Canada and Tiroler Landestheater (Austria).
In 2000 she formed REAson d'etre dance productions, a dance company that promotes contact dance improvisation. Kathleen Rea has emerged as a choreographic presence. Her work is "fabulously original" [Sheena Wilson, www.danceinsider.com] . Kathleen's individuality of expression stems from her varied background, which includes ballet, modern, contact improvisation, and dance theatre and is influenced by the multi-disciplinary art techniques involved in Expressive Arts. Kathleen has choreographed over 40 original works for various organizations including REAson d'etre dance productions, Bravo Television Network, Ballet Jörgen Canada, Canadian Olympic Association, Decadence Films, Dusk Dances, Gender Play, George Brown Dance , Good Hair Day Productions, princess productions, Prologue for the Performing Arts , Ryerson University Dance Program, Studio 303 and Toronto Dance Theatre . In 2009 Kathleen's modern ballet Long Live was nominated for three Dora Mavor Moore awards including outstanding choreography. In 2010 Kathleen won the K.M Hunter Dance Award.
Kathleen is long standing a member of the contact dance community, founding the Wednesday Dance Jam. The Wednesday Dance jam provides a dance class followed by a contact jam with live music and has run weekly for 12 years.
Kathleen Rea has a Master's degree in the Expressive Arts Therapy with minor in Psychology from the European Graduate School and ISIS-Canada. Along with a private practice Kathleen does therapeutic performance facilitation in which she helps groups express their life stories through dance and theatre performance.
Kathleen has taught at George Brown College, York University and Niagara College in subjects including contact dance, dance improvisation and dance therapy.
Her book The Healing Dance: The Life and Practice of an Expressive Arts Therapist", published by Charles C. Thomas Publishers is available on Amazon .
"Beauty and authenticity were my immediate impressions...The Healing Dance reads like a novel yet delivers a professional and academic body of work that will be sure to please..."
The Arts in Psychotherapy 40 (2013) 358–359
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