Enter a world that surrounds you with smoky haze, dazzling lights and myriad bodies.
Unleash your inner voyeur and witness virtuosic dancers above and around you in 'Flaunt'. A contemporary choreographer, Claire has worked with Darren Hayes, Kate Miller-Heidke, Megan Washington, Little Birdie, The Sleepy Jackson, John Butler Trio, Powderfinger and Tycho Brahe just to name a few. Her latest collaboration takes the smoke, mirrors and glamour of night clubs and embeds it with a clever and insightful look at female sexuality and empowerment.
What is 'Flaunt' all about?
'Flaunt' is about the representation of the human body in popular culture. Especially, it’s about how young women project themselves in social media, and the sexualised representation of the female form.
What is the main character's story?
'Flaunt' is set the past as a projection of women in the future (2015). I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s about four female characters in context to the past as well as in context to the audience’s understanding and comfort with the present. One or two of the characters are based on people I’ve known.
What is the most interesting dance you've choreographed?
Probably 'SlowDive'. 'SlowDive' was an immersive work about nightclubs inspired from DJing in Fortitude Valley. The dance space was transformed into a nightclub and the audience shared the space with the performers. 'SlowDive' was created at the Brisbane Powerhouse and we took the show to the Gold Coast and up to The Cairns Festival.
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Who is the most interesting person you've worked with?
For me, I would define interesting is, “creative people who inspire”. I would say that Darren Hayes stands out because he’s so creative and takes a very artistic approach in his process. I think that is really amazing – to make a commercial and accessible product through a process associated with making more high art. It’s also the people behind the scenes who I often think are interesting too – A lighting designer, a producer, a composer, or a filmmaker etc. – again creative people who are often so inspiring to collaborate with.
Where does your inspiration come from to create new dance moves?
I’m not sure where my inspiration comes from. I think that inspiration is probably a culmination of all my influences as well as a rebellion against other influences. It also depends what I’m making. Sometimes movement may be derived from music. Sometimes it comes from a visual image or concept I want to explore. Sometimes it’s drawn from an emotion or experience. If it’s music video, it’s normally based on the treatment. It really depends on what the product or work is. But for a work like this, the over-arching idea is just always there in my head already, and I just hope for an opportunity like the Brisbane Powerhouse’s 'SWEET' programme, to have an opportunity to develop it.
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What do you want audiences to say as they leave 'Flaunt'?
I think it’s important that the audience is left to make the decision about the work. If audiences leave saying saying, “I get it”, or if they feel challenged, that is great. If audiences leave saying, “that was awesome”, then that’s a bonus.
And what will you be saying to yourself on opening night?
I don't want to think about an answer to this. I just hope I look back at a photo pre-show backstage and remember it fondly and wish for the moment all over again.
Anything else readers should know?
The dates and times of the show would be ace!
Claire Marshall's 'Flaunt' plays at the Brisbane Powerhouse from the 18th to the 22nd November.
