There’s definitely no shortage crisis when it comes to motivational content across social media.
Affirmations like ‘you’ve got this,’ ‘hustle’, and other encouraging words are a constant in an environment where trends come and go. So, what is it that keeps us double-tapping and liking these bite-sized pieces of empowerment? We’re all craving the same thing it seems; a true, lasting feeling of empowerment during these modern times.
Sydney-based choreographers Julie-Anne Long and Adelina Larsson have collaborated with independent artist and performer Laura Boynes to create 'Wonder Woman', a powerful and contemporary punch to the gut delivered through dance.
Laura Boynes brings us her most personal work to date, but allows us to sneak a peek at what’s coming to the Perth stage.
“Essentially, it’s a work about female empowerment. It’s tackling current female gender issues but also, these are issues that have plagued us as women for a long time – so they’re not new. Imagine feminism was a superhero; that gives you a bit of an idea of the tone of the work we’re really kind of cracking open and playing with,” Laura goes on to explain.
“The style of dance is contemporary dance so it’s a creative form of dance, a bit more abstract than something like ballet, although foundations of contemporary are in classical ballet. I guess the style is ‘me’ – often, certain movements are created for the first time, so it’s a very current way of moving with your body.”
Laura took home the Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth and Community Dance in 2014, and then Most Outstanding Dancer (Dance Australia Critics Choice) for 'Sous Vide' presented at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2015.
Image © Emma Fishwick
Reviews of her work reveal time and time again that she has the gift of genuine creativity which she then morphs into abstract yet narrative concepts, creating a magnetic force between herself and her audience.
Feminism is a hot topic that raises strong opinions across generations of Australians. When asked more about the approach they’ve taken during the collaborative process of building and creating the work, Laura explains how humour has been integrated into it and also why this works so well.
“That’s something that the three of us have been working on together.” she reflects.
“Humour is really important, particularly today when there’s so much that’s essentially going wrong in the world and things are getting turned upside down.
“I think sometimes humour is a great approach to darker topics, maybe it’s that self-deprecating edge that allows people to access the work and to realise that they also feel the same way about certain things or they’ve had the same experiences. I mean, in saying that, the whole work isn’t funny... But it’s definitely a part of it, a big part of it.”
'Wonder Woman' is a response to “these multiple facades that we need to build for ourselves in today’s society and essentially it’s about becoming a super version or like a shero of yourself”.
“I really wanted create a work with women about women and at the same time I also felt an urge in my own career, to have the career goal of a full-length solo work so around 50 minutes to an hour, so it feels like a bit of a career pinnacle. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a while and I am very passionate about it because it’s also one of the most challenging works that I will have ever performed.”
