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About
Ochre Contemporary Dance Company, located in Subiaco, is a renowned dance company that specialises in telling Australian stories through the art of dance, language, and music. With a strong focus on cultural interaction, post-traumatic stress, and indigenous incarceration, Ochre has become one of Australia's leading physical theatre companies.
Led by Director Mark Howett, who has previously lit the Perth Festival productions, Ochre Contemporary Dance Company has received widespread acclaim for their exceptional performances. Their previous works, including Kaya (2016), Good Little Soldier (2017), and 3. 3 (2018), have received five-star reviews and established the company as a force to be reckoned with in the dance community.
In collaboration with India's Daksha Sheth Dance Company, Ochre presents their latest world tope production titled “Kwongkan,” which explores the effects of climate change and the struggle to save our planet. This visually and sonically stunning production combines traditional and contemporary dance theatre, live music, son et lumire, and aerial acrobatics.
Over three years of travel to sacred lands in desert Australia and tropical India, Ochre and Daksha Sheth Dance Company have crafted a profound and dazzling mix of beauty and terror, hope and fear. This production is a thought-provoking reflection of our collective responsibility to address the catastrophic effects of climate change.
In Nyoongar, the language of the indigenous people of the Perth region, “Kwongkan” translates to “sand. ” This indestructible element is significant in dance ceremonies of both Indian and Indigenous Australian cultures. The title serves as a reminder that many of us have been avoiding the urgent need to address climate change, putting our heads in the sand instead.
Ochre's principal Nyoongar dancer, Ian Wilkes, emphasises the impact of climate change on sacred lands, stating, “We nurtured this land for over 50,000 years, and now, after only 200, it faces ruin. ” This profound statement reflects the urgency and importance of the message conveyed in “Kwongkan.
Audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the world of “Kwongkan” at the Fremantle Arts Centre during the Festival of Perth. The gardens will be transformed into epic scenes of ceremony, protest, danger, and destruction. Prior to the performance, attendees can experience the magic of pre-performance rituals, warm-ups, set preparation, costuming, and body painting.
Prepare to have your senses enraptured, and your conscience piqued as “Kwongkan” shouts to us all the need to acknowledge our collective role in the creation and reversal of the catastrophic effects of climate change. Ochre Contemporary Dance Company truly presents a mesmerising and thought-provoking experience that captivates audiences and sparks important conversations.
For more information, upcoming performances, and ways to support Ochre Contemporary Dance Company, please visit their website or contact them directly.