Wintering, choreographed by Aimee Smith, performed by Rhiannon Newton and Jenni Large. Original sound scape by kane Ikin, Craig McElhinney and Ben Taaffe.
Inspired by her visit to the Arctic, Smith explores themes surrounding the fragility and strength of an iced landscape.
Each component of the minimalist set is well thought out. The bleached blonde bops of the performers dressed in shades of grey, the stark white floor surrounded by black walls, the low white lighting, and an icy sound scape all created a chilling atmosphere (not to mention the freezing draft of the entrance I felt from my ushers chair).
For me I was most intrigued by the beginning at which point it took the dancers about 15 minutes to spiral (from the floor to standing and down again) and roll their way towards the audience. Strong and solid iceburgs slowly pushing their way through the ocean. I was also moved by the rigid, sharp movements that invoked images of icicles transforming as they melted into liquid.
Contrasts in time, quality and levels created a strong dynamic relationship between the two dancers. They moved cohesively together and demonstrated fluid partnering work. At times I lost interest as some elements were overly repetitive. I would love to see this work again after further development and editing.
Overall, the dancers appeared dehumanised into various ice formations; drifting, disintegrating, colliding, smaller parts breaking away, icicles melting, forever morphing, liquefying and freezing solid again only to drift off into blackness leaving behind a stark and chilling space.
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