Adorned
Choreographed by Isabella Hood and Asher Bowen-Saunders
in collaboration with Tess Miller, Chloe Watego and Jag Popham
Artistic contributions by Chisaki Utsumi, Nerida Matthaei, Kelsey Williams, Ché Pritchard
In the current era, where the boundaries between material and spiritual existence blur, Adorned challenges conventional notions of identity, empowering individuals to actively shape their engagement with both inner and external worlds.
The performance explores the complex relationships intertwined with human desire, materialism, consumerism, and greed. Simultaneously, it seeks to revive the lost art of adornment and foster a reconnection with the spirit of objects and nature. At its core, Adorned strives to emphasise the act of generating and creating, advocating for a cultural shift from consumption to conscious creativity and connection.
This collaborative artistic venture invites the audience to witness the dynamic and spontaneous fusion of contemporary dance, ochre paints, and clay—a harmonious celebration of the body's creative expression over material consumption.
Immersing the audience in a sensory journey, the performance features ceramic bowls gliding across surfaces and clay oozing through fingers. Minimal and sparse music allows for an unfiltered connection with the animistic and unified lens through which the performance unfolds. Adorned becomes a conduit for empowerment, urging individuals to become conscious decision-makers in shaping their identities.
SUNSHINE COAST
Showing May 30th, at Studio Sociaal, 13/48 Lysaght St, Coolum Beach, QLD
GOLD COAST
Showing June 13th, Dust Temple, 54 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters, QLD
ProjectWLD is an initiative of Sunshine Coast Council's Arts & Heritage Levy.
For Audience members who have witnessed the show: here is a little bit more context on what/who/how it was created…
What is it about?
The idea’s and concepts explored in adorned started with a podcast episode from Josh Shrei’s The Emerald podcast that fascinated both choreographers. It delves into the lost art of adornment, looking closely at the sacred act of adorning oneself in a conscious way - to protect, to ward off disease or ‘bad’ spirits, to bring courage, fertility, good fortune, love or health and regeneration. Such objects or ornaments were traditionally imbued with unique mystical powers depending on what they were made of: materials such as gems, metals and stones, of animal bones, feathers, teeth, fur, and of course shells, flowers, vines and reeds. These amulets and objects were crafted and worn with purpose and divine spirit.
These days, most of us walk around with synthetic clothes made from factories in china, toxic bulk-produced jewellery, and plastic, rubber shoes. We are fixed on showcasing status and wealth, and we cant help ourselves buy, buy, BUY, more, more, MORE.
Adorned is an attempt to heal our relationship with object, and recconnect to the spirit and animacy of all things. It is through this ritual that we realign our concsiousness to acknowledge the power that adornement has in our lives.
How was the music made?
Jag popham created the music by recording the beautiful sounds of necklances, pendants, hair pins and trinkets made of bone, wood and metals clinking and rolling and clanging against each other. These sounds were warped and electronically enhanced to echo throughout the space, lacing together to create the backbone of the musical score. In collaboration with all artists, Jag responded to the movement and ambiance of the work, busking live with the different sounds and musical states to compliment or contrast the choreography.
Why collaborate with interdisciplinary artists?
Adornment in this current era connects us to consumerism and the exploitment of object and nature. Thus, exploring the human conditions of greed, desire, abundance and war, must also lead us to explore generation, construction and creation.
As the artists explore an array of themes through the work, Tess and Chloe represent the divine act of creation. Each artist responds to each other, the space, the sounds and the energy- harnessing and allowing this stimulus to intuitively shape and guide their artwork. The outcome is not important - it is only in the act of creation that we can shift into a more connected and ritualistic approach to adornment and all that we choose to adorn our lives.
