Contemporary Indigenous dance company Karul Projects and dance organisation BlakDance present 'SILENCE' at Redland Performing Arts Centre (Queensland).
It's a bold, uncompromising work starring seven performers on a stage slowly engulfed in dirt. . . Representing the call for land back. 'SILENCE' explores the notion of a Treaty in response to Australia's relationship with its First Nations people, and what a Treaty could bring to First Nations Australia.
Karul Projects was founded in 2017 and is an emerging First Nations professional contemporary dance company.
'SILENCE' is choreographed by Thomas E.S. Kelly and features live percussion driving the dancers' explorations of past, present, alternate realities and dreamscapes.
Here, Karul Projects Co-Director and Choreographer/Performer in 'SILENCE', Thomas E.S. Kelly, pens an open letter ahead to talk about the show, Karul Projects, and the collaboration with BlakDance.
“I wanted to make a work that was contributing our voices to the conversation. From conversations throughout 2018 with dramaturg Alethea Beetson and my mentor and choreographic dramaturg for the work Vicki Van Hout, who said 'sure add your voice, we were doing these kinds of works 20, 30, 40 years ago', it is integral that these conversations are being continued and our rights being fought for.
We are living through a reckoning of human rights, conversations no longer limited to the fringes of society. In Australia, we are one of the only Commonwealth countries colonised by the British to not have a Treaty with the First Peoples of the land.
'SILENCE' was created to contribute Karul’s voice to the conversation about our struggles and freedoms as First Nations peoples. 'SILENCE' calls for Treaty and/or meaningful negotiations about land, reparations and redress.
We created Karul Projects in 2017, to provide more pathways for artists and audiences into First Nations culture and arts. In 2018 we relocated to the Gold Coast, answering a need to contribute to growing the local artistic community. We work within the boundaries of cultural borders including the Tweed Shire. We ensure First Nations art is embedded in the identity of the developing arts community. Upon returning to Queensland, we spent time developing 'SILENCE' over 2018-2020 as part of the BlakDance Residency Program and Performing Country, supported by Home of the Arts’ Creative Development Program, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Brisbane Festival. The work premiered at Brisbane Festival 2020 at Brisbane Powerhouse, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic!
We are now in our first year of receiving multi-year funding from City of Gold Coast and Arts Queensland and going on our first tour, with our largest work to date. It is an incredible time to be adding Karul’s voice to the conversation, especially in Queensland with the recent Government's ‘commitment to a Treaty' being put back on the table.
With symbolism heavily steeped in Land rights, the show explores what a 250 plus year-long denial of meaningful listening to First Nations people has done to the psyche of the people and land.
'SILENCE' challenges the audience to listen through First Nations ways of being, utilising the metaphor of the emu, a way of understanding the space in between. Don't get caught up on what's being said and what's put in front of you. Ask the question of what's not being said and what can't you see. 'SILENCE' invites the audience to be witness to and participate in this urgent contemporary ceremony.
It’s a work that references protest, First Nations triumphs and representation. Throughout the performance the audience is taken on a journey of victory; represented through the iconic handing of land back by Gough Whitlam to Vincent Lingiari, to defying racism in sport paying homage to Nicky Winmar. First Nations culture is beautiful but we have fought for our existence every step of the way.
We have marched across Country. We have had promises made and promises broken. In 'SILENCE' we pull the unresolved conversations from under the rug and slam them back on the table. Because the conversation about a TREATY will never be silenced.
'SILENCE' is an entry point to the complex political environment we find ourselves in. It is a powerful contemporary dance performance featuring seven performers on a minimalist set with evocative lighting. The complex musical score, punctuated by dynamic live percussion, explores past, present, alternate realities and dreamscapes. The entire stage is slowly engulfed in dirt, representing the worldwide call for the return of Indigenous lands.
Always Was Always Will Be. 'SILENCE' is a searing commentary on Australian Nationhood.”
We are living through a reckoning of human rights, conversations no longer limited to the fringes of society. In Australia, we are one of the only Commonwealth countries colonised by the British to not have a Treaty with the First Peoples of the land.
'SILENCE' was created to contribute Karul’s voice to the conversation about our struggles and freedoms as First Nations peoples. 'SILENCE' calls for Treaty and/or meaningful negotiations about land, reparations and redress.
Image © Simon Woods
We created Karul Projects in 2017, to provide more pathways for artists and audiences into First Nations culture and arts. In 2018 we relocated to the Gold Coast, answering a need to contribute to growing the local artistic community. We work within the boundaries of cultural borders including the Tweed Shire. We ensure First Nations art is embedded in the identity of the developing arts community. Upon returning to Queensland, we spent time developing 'SILENCE' over 2018-2020 as part of the BlakDance Residency Program and Performing Country, supported by Home of the Arts’ Creative Development Program, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Brisbane Festival. The work premiered at Brisbane Festival 2020 at Brisbane Powerhouse, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic!
We are now in our first year of receiving multi-year funding from City of Gold Coast and Arts Queensland and going on our first tour, with our largest work to date. It is an incredible time to be adding Karul’s voice to the conversation, especially in Queensland with the recent Government's ‘commitment to a Treaty' being put back on the table.
With symbolism heavily steeped in Land rights, the show explores what a 250 plus year-long denial of meaningful listening to First Nations people has done to the psyche of the people and land.
'SILENCE' challenges the audience to listen through First Nations ways of being, utilising the metaphor of the emu, a way of understanding the space in between. Don't get caught up on what's being said and what's put in front of you. Ask the question of what's not being said and what can't you see. 'SILENCE' invites the audience to be witness to and participate in this urgent contemporary ceremony.
Image © Simon Woods
It’s a work that references protest, First Nations triumphs and representation. Throughout the performance the audience is taken on a journey of victory; represented through the iconic handing of land back by Gough Whitlam to Vincent Lingiari, to defying racism in sport paying homage to Nicky Winmar. First Nations culture is beautiful but we have fought for our existence every step of the way.
We have marched across Country. We have had promises made and promises broken. In 'SILENCE' we pull the unresolved conversations from under the rug and slam them back on the table. Because the conversation about a TREATY will never be silenced.
'SILENCE' is an entry point to the complex political environment we find ourselves in. It is a powerful contemporary dance performance featuring seven performers on a minimalist set with evocative lighting. The complex musical score, punctuated by dynamic live percussion, explores past, present, alternate realities and dreamscapes. The entire stage is slowly engulfed in dirt, representing the worldwide call for the return of Indigenous lands.
Always Was Always Will Be. 'SILENCE' is a searing commentary on Australian Nationhood.”
'SILENCE' is touring nationally in 2023, including at Bathurst from 28-29 July and Wollongong from 9-12 August.
