“When two elements or more come together to create something unpredictable – that’s one of the meanings of emergence.” – Rafael Bonachela.
The critically acclaimed performances 'Emergence', 'Fanatic' and 'Cacti' are all apart of the Sydney Dance Company’s latest exposition, 'De Novo'. Three shows all directed and choreographed by three different artists; Rafeal Bonachela, Larissa McGowan and Alexander Ekman.
Internationally renowned choreographer, Rafeal Bonachela, is preparing for the debut of his latest contemporary cross-genre leap – 'Emergence'. The current Artistic Director of the Sydney Dance Company, Rafael's resume dresses to impress. He has previously worked with pop culture queens Kylie Monogue and Tina Turner, and in the 2013 Dance Australia Critics Survey was named the ‘Most Interesting Australian Artist’ for his critically acclaimed performances and innovative collaborations with Australian artists from all fields.
'Emergence' © Wendell TeodoroThe idea of 'Emergence' was born purely out of collaboration between Rafael, singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko and Producer Nick Wales. “I had worked with Nick Wales before, and at the time he happened to be working with Sarah Blasko. An artist I had also been following. An artist that I admire.”
Nick pitched the idea of working with the Sydney Dance Company to Sarah and she accepted. After five days of comparing ideas and improvising in the studio, the three of them created the idea of 'Emergence'. “[We knew] all of the multiple meanings of emergence and how that'd be a really great trigger and great expression for music, dance and design. It was among all of us that we came up with the idea.”
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Nick often works with electronic sound and digital distortion, which is quite the opposite of Sarah Blasko, who is known for her iconic indie/ pop/ rock sound. “At first [collaborating] was very daunting because I didn't have an idea, but it was exciting at the same time because I respect them as artists. So I knew that we would come out with something great. It was exciting, but not at all comfortable.”
This collaboration makes 'Emergence' differ significantly from Rafael's past performances because usually Rafael works with lyricless music. “I love voice... Sarah is a poet and a beautiful writer ... so the lyrics are big part of what is very different in this work for me. The lyrics were created from scratch, in fact nothing of what you will see on stage existed before.”
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All of the costumes for 'Emergence' will be designed by the iconic Dion Lee. So viewers can expect intricate and tailored pieces that not only compliment the bodies of the dancers but embrace the surrounding stage and lighting design. “There's a variety of costumes… These dancers are pushing themselves physically so when I speak to a designer I request no long skirts because they will be jumping and throwing themselves.
“They are very tailored and fitted costumes and he used very traditional tailoring but in a modern way. He also uses some reflective material that reacts to the lighting. He thought of everything, not just the way it looked on body but the way it interacted with everything else – the lights, stage and of course the concept with emergence.”
'Cacti' © Peter GreigRafael collaborated with Benjamin Cisterne on lighting, after working with him on a couple of prior projects. “Emergence can be found in many areas like science, philosophy, religion, art and architecture... So we have a silver reflective floor which is quite stunning, if you think about in science ... you could never predict that the combination of atoms and particles could produce water so that unexpectedness is called emergence... The reason we have the silver floor is because it's a representation of water, which is emergence.
“There's also a lot of emergence in design and architecture. Benjamin did an amazing light sculpture made out of LED lights on top of the stage. He inspired himself with all of these ideas and created an environment that abstracted that idea.”
'Emergence' © Peter GreigFrom contemporary dance to the choreography of Kylie Minogue's world tour, Rafael has done it all and is still keen to explore all the different creative arenas. “I am excited about all sorts of collaborations my career demonstrates that... When I decided to choreograph for Kylie ... dirty dancing with the commercial world of dance... I always followed my instincts and my desire to learn and be creative, in different arenas, I always enjoyed it.
“So for me, if a project is right, I never say no. If I'm excited about an idea, whether it be a film, a pop concert, a pop video, a commercial or a dance in the street, I'll always go for it because I'll always find something relatable. I don't put too many walls or boundaries up to my creativity.”
Although there are future projects on the back burners, in the interim the Sydney Dance Company will continue commissioning choreographers as well as touring across Australia and internationally. “There are great surprises in the near future... We are all looking forward to what's a head of us in these next few years.”
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DE NOVO DATES
Wed 15 July – Darwin Entertainment CentreSat 18 July – Araluen Arts Centre (Alice Springs)
Wed 22 July – Middleback Theatre (Whyalla)
Sat 25 July – Northern Festival Centre (Port Pirie)
Wed 29 July – Chaffey Theatre (Renmark)
Sat 1 August – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre (Mt Gambier)
Thurs 6 - Sat 8 August – Adelaide Festival Centre
Wed 12 August – Ulumbarra Theatre (Bendigo)
Sat 15 August – Frankston Arts Centre
Thurs 20 - Sat 22 August – Theatre Royal Hobart
Thurs 27 August – Princess Theatre (Launceston)
