Tuesday 11 October 2011

Dancers are runners in disguise

This morning I was walking along Brunswick Street here in Melbourne, quite deeply contemplating Hiatus and the photo shoot we are planning for this Sunday. How in images might the work be indicated or suggested without limiting the potential for it to significantly evolve in the coming months? Contemplating this question my gaze was repeatedly being drawn to an approaching runner. Even at a distance he seemed interesting, familiar even. Sure enough, as he passed I recognised him to be a fellow dancer. Not too surprised, in fact quite comforted, I waved him on his way. I say I was comforted as seeing this dancer running seemed to further confirm my sense that; many dancers run, enjoy it, are good at it and even consider it a vital part of their practice.
It's all about the labels really. What we call ourselves and our actions. I mean, these dancers running may very well be runners dancing or dancers dancing as they stride left foot then right, rhythmically inhaling and exhaling and enjoying the exhilaration of getting the blood pumping.

Question: Do you consider yourself a runner? A dancer? A bit of both or something else all together?

Saturday 8 October 2011

Melbourne is a running city

Today is the Melbourne Marathon. I have just passed the masses of participants near the MCG.
Melbourne is a running city, there is no doubt about it. In fact when I see this enthusiasm for running, I consider that my plans for next year are not so out of the ordinary. Or perhaps they are? It's about context. I mean, I can't say that I am in the practice of creating and performing dance that begins with a 7km run through the streets of Melbourne. It will be significantly different and challenging. Extreme, epic and earnest also come to mind. Melbourne, your running and your art are going to have a  head on collision in 2012!

Question: Did you run today?

Thursday 6 October 2011

Running is...


My best or most efficient running is that inspired by fear. Fear = Fast. 
Running provides a momentary escape from the scary, unanswerable, confronting stuff of this world. Running is liberation of the body and mind, my entire psycho-physical being. The imagination loves a good run. 
Running is a reality check. I cannot deny the actuality of me when my heart is audibly beating, sweat is free flowing and breath is rushing in and out. 
Running is keeping up with a world racing toward its end. 
Running is dancing because gentle and graceful somehow seems insufficient and even irrelevant. 
Running is ritual. How else can chaos be countered? 
Running is because I can. Not everyone can and mostly I forget this. 
Running, running, running. 

Question: Do you run? What is running for you?