For this of you who do not know this man, myth, talent and creative genius Akram Khan, I present his latest creation TOROBAKA as part of 45 Days of Dance Stories. But, first I must bow down to this dancer, choreographer, collaborator and magic-man – Akram Kkan, His energy and vitality, his cross disciplinary works of art, his duets, and his vision … Continue reading The Indefatigable Akram Khan
For most dancers honing their craft and body is an endeavour that stretches across a lifetime. It is a journey of the self through arduous hours of training, of bending and breaking the body into various positions, and drilling movement, sequences and steps within that same body. It is often about reaching a place within that is untapped, scared and unknown, and asking it … Continue reading Arms – Catch and Release
Sticking to the Bollywood theme of yesterday and moving upwards in the body of a dancer, for 45 Days of Dance Stories, I give you the upper torso, and the woman who has made her on and off screen dancing career with the -chest-thrust – the Dhak-Dhak-Queen : Madhuri Dixit. Similar to the pelvic-thrust discussed yesterday this upper-torso movement finds resonance in traditional … Continue reading Upper Torso : The Dhak- Dhak-Queen
Considered by many as one of the finest and most influential artists of the 20th century. This choreographer, writer, dancer and revolutionary contributed, in no small part, to the shaping of and trajectory of – modern dance. Through her work and ethos she carved and continues to influence the psyche of the dancer and the manifestation of his soul through chosen-precise-movement. For me, Martha Graham … Continue reading Words and Movements of Martha Graham
Words, especially of those that are beyond us in years, experience, achievement and/or success seem to have the power to inspire and change us. To alter some part of us that is not quite bloomed, or that broken element that needs healing, and at other times it is just a matter of jarring awake the sleeping world of wonder that is within us all. For … Continue reading Dance Quotes
The 80s gave us a lot of cool things – disco, Robert Mapplethorpe, the computer, the internet, neon colours Wham and Boy George to name a few. As I was busy learning my ABCs and getting into grade one towards the end of the 80s I became those 90s kids who were totally and irrevocably influenced and shaped by the “totally bitchin” dance movies of … Continue reading Dance Movie Love
Delhi is a City that encourages transition, and one space within the City that has found itself re-inventing itself, based on the needs of its inhabitants is the area of Haus Khas. From a literal water-well, to a space of learning, to a creative hub. Haus Khas has had many versions. This is its centuries old journey compressed for easy consumption. Haus-Khas owes in equal … Continue reading Art Spaces in Delhi : Haus-Khas
This Chinese artist and his oil creations of self in commercial and collectible artworks that straddle the line between social commentary political criticism whilst simultaneously being creepy, confounding, confusing and comical I present to you an artist that is celebrated by alarmist Chinese galleria and Chinese art enthusiasts. Yu Minjun’s works are unfamiliar to the most educated of viewers. His character(s) create distance as well as a … Continue reading Saying au revoir to Chinese Art : the multiple smiles of Yu Minjun
This poem connects to every human, heart-beat and soul who has suffered prejudice, judgment and oppression. Here is the poem: You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells … Continue reading And I Still Rise by Maya Angelou
The 1960’s sees artists such as Rauscheneberg and Warhol react against the Greenbergian philosophy of “form must follow function” where the medium/material used by the artist must dictate the artwork created. They dismiss this notion and begin drawing inspiration from Duchamp and Surrealism. They are not alone in this breaking from “prescribed media for prescribed creations” within art philosophy. Across the Atlantic in the 60s … Continue reading The Photographic Image as Found-Object
D's Art Takes 