Poetic storytelling, music, dance and projection collide when 'SAND' sweeps into Redland Performing Arts Centre (Queensland).
Percussive performance ensemble Taikoz present an original score, set against the movement of award-winning dancers and the tapestry of First Nations wisdom. 'SAND', presented by Belloo Creative and Taikoz, is intertwined with projection works incorporating First Nations knowledge about Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).
This is a world premiere production exploring the planet's shifting sands and oceans – it's an ode to the natural world and explores the elemental forces of nature. The Taikoz performers are Anton Lock, Kerryn Joyce, and Ryuji Hamada, joined by live performers Waangenga Blanco and Hsin-Ju Ely, and video performer Kirk Page.
'Come closer to the sand’s ebb and flow
and you’ll see each grain is different
Belonged once to something proud and separate
now joined together
matter that can be poured from hand to hand
No countries
no borders
no animal mineral vegetable
just sand’
Here, we speak to 'SAND' Co-Director Caroline Dunphy about the production.
Tell us a little bit about ’SAND’.
'SAND' is a world premiere performance. It incorporates a dynamic ensemble of virtuoso live percussionists, dancers, and digital projection. It’s going to be a breathtaking and spectacular production. It’s a big artistic collaboration – both nationally and internationally – supported and framed by First Nations knowledge from Quandamooka country, where it’s premiering. The fictional story – a sand miner coming home from work and finding a woman washed up on the shore, sits inside deep cultural learning. And the idea of sand represents the impermanence of the world. Each grain is different – made up of fragments of land, rock, mountain, glass. . .
It features an original score from Taikoz and a team of First Nations artists and dancers. What are some of the main themes in the storytelling of ’SAND’?
'SAND' explores the nature of shifting sands and landscapes in our ever-changing world and the notion of belonging. It deals very specifically with Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island), which is a sand island that hugs the East Coast of Australia. It’s so close to Brisbane yet we non-First Nations people know so little about it. It’s been wonderful to learn from Uncle Norman [Enoch, Quandamooka Elder, Cultural Consultant & Storyteller] and be taken on a journey around the island. 'SAND' gently explores humans and creatures living together on shifting sands – and reminds us we are part of the natural world and need to respect it. This was a key message from Uncle Norman, too.
What are you most looking forward to about Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) audiences seeing this show?
We can’t wait to share the work with RPAC audiences! We were last here two years ago with 'Rovers' and felt so embraced by audiences and the amazing artistic and venue teams who were so welcoming. We love how deeply connected with the local community RPAC is. It was so important to us to premiere this work on Quandamooka country with people who have connections to the land and the seas where it’s set. And we love the fact that we’re bringing a large-scale performance – the sort of thing you’d usually only have the opportunity to see at a major festival – to the community rather than expecting them to come to the city to see it. We’re also really excited about sharing a multi art form performance where the storytelling is shared through projection, percussion, incredible live music and dance. All the elements are coming together to create a unique form of storytelling.
You first performed with Taikoz 20 years ago! Tell us about how it all began for you.
I was an ensemble member with a company called FRANK Theatre (OzFrank) that worked predominantly with Tadashi Suzuki and his company in Japan. Taikoz’s methodology and practice is also based on a Japanese form and so it seemed quite natural for our two companies to work together all those years ago! It was two decades ago but I’ve always wanted to find the opportunity to work with them again. Now that I’m the Co-Artistic Director of Belloo, I have that opportunity and it’s been wonderful to see the sensitivity and shared sensibility between our two companies. Taikoz’s incredible discipline, precision and rigour make them consummate musicians and the most exciting collaborators. The music Taikoz’s Artistic Director, Ian Cleworth, has composed for 'SAND' is astonishing.
How did you become involved in ’SAND’?
I’m the Co-Artistic Director of Belloo Creative (alongside writer Katherine Lyall-Watson) and 'SAND' has evolved from 'The Sand Project', which we’ve been working on for six years. As part of that we’ve created a production that was performed in a 400-year-old temple in Japan, an art projection on the exterior of a building, a gallery installation, and brought a Tokyo theatre company to Australia to work with us. But this new evolution is the most exciting yet!
As Co-Director, how would you describe your involvement in the work?
I have been working conceptually for most of my career and am so grateful to now have the opportunity to bring together the perfect collaborators and to mentor and create with wonderful artists in different fields. I’m co-directing 'SAND' with Mitch King who is a fabulous Yaegl Bundjalung artist predominantly working in dance and rap.
This show has been, in your words, ‘years in the making’. What has been the biggest challenge in putting it together?
The biggest challenge is working remotely and holding the whole work in my head! I can’t wait to be in the rehearsal room with all the artists so that we can start creating our shared vision.
Who is ’SAND’ for?
This is definitely an all ages show (maybe not babies unless they have headphones to protect their ears!). It’s dynamic, delicate and exciting and is going to appeal to a wide audience. From the massive taiko drums to the exquisite dancing and the First Nations wisdom. . . There’s something for everyone in 'SAND'.
And what would you say is your favourite thing about the show's evolution?
Working with such brilliant artists! People I have admired and respected for years – I’m so inspired by what they each do. Every Belloo production forms a family – there’s a genuine respect and closeness and I treasure that.
'SAND' plays Redland Performing Arts Centre (Queensland) 21 June.
