This work explores gender, the heirarchy of clothes, and the naked, natural body before it is clothed in the hegemony of social-political norms. It is intended to purposefully interrupt this norm by a free and public performance in a “guerilla – style” fashion scheduled for December 2, Tuesday, 9:30 am, in front of the Hamilton Library.
The hope of the performance is to allow a dialogue to occur, critically ask ourselves who am I? What do I take part in society? Why do I dress, talk, work, feel like I do? What does it mean to be a woman? A man? A mahu? A bisexual? This project wants to see beyond what the eyes see.
“Our seeing is already deeply predetermined. Much of the knowledge we gain through vision and our other senses, and the way we direct our seeing, is highly organized. To a large extent this is not a matter of choice but of our cultural and even our neural conditioning. We see conceptually, metaphorically, linguistically. But whatever our culture, we also see to some extent literally. There is always a tension between these two ways of seeing, and between our consciousness of meaning and being…Meaning shapes perception, but in the end perception can refigure meaning, so that at the next stage this may alter perception once again…”
– taken from Meaning and Being by David MacDougal
Yesterday was our first rehearsal. Sami couldn’t come at the last minute. Terry had to leave early, and Megan was late. Lucy was there the whole time. I first talked with all of them about why I wanted to do this piece. I wanted to actually do a piece directly related to the human body and the politics and perceptions about gender/sex and ultimately about the naked, natural body. We also talked about how place, history, and of course religion and politics have shaped the way we look at tall this. I also shared with them about the risks of performing nude at my proposed site: the Lawn in front of Hamilton Library. I am encouraging nudity in this piece and not forcing anyone of them to do anything they didn’t want to do ( including wearing or not wearing a certain piece of clothing or clothes at all). Kara said she would be arrested with us, so that made us all feel better….
I have to go for now but check out these clips from rehearsal yesterday, mahalo, wai:
Dedicated to sharing our different projects and processes in creating dance. With the use of journal writing, interview, pictures, video, we offer these ethnographic documents as a tool for reflection and learning.
We are excited to get to Scotland's Fringe Festival and join its international dance scene and cultural exchange. Many thanks in advance for your kind support and pledges…we couldn't do this without you…Mahalo nui loa!
This image above by photographer Darren Miller captures Wai Company dancers in HI Fructose Corn Syrup. Dancers Jamie Nakama, Kapono Aiwohi, Elizabeth Grote, Lucy Braham, Raina Racki and Sequoia Carr-Brown.
Wailana Simcock as Bananimal shot by Kelli Bullock
This work in-progress is part of a full-length piece from The GMO Project: Malama Honua and premiered at the Still and Moving Center 9/14. Here are a few shots from the performance. Please check back soon to see video of High Fructose Corn Syrup and other works.
Pearl Ubungen, choreographer and cultural activist, came to Hawaii and taught Wai Co. dancers a master class on meditation and dance. She used the Feldenkrais method as a warm up and segue into the meditation and movement practices. The work and practice was very subtle yet powerful in that we were able to heighten our movement awareness and break some movement patterns.
Mahalo Pearl for an awesome afternoon.
To learn more about Pearl and her work, check out: pearlubungen.com
We are looking for male dancers who are trained, or is willing to be trained in Modern Dance Technique (release) and Aerial Dance for performances. We are open to consider non-trained dancers but must be a strong mover and athlete. Also interested in male dancers trained in either Hula, Hip-Hop, Capoeira, Ballet, Break-dance or some other discipline. Wai Co meets twice a week in a private studio in Kahala. Please email Wailana at wailana@waicompany.com. Mahalo!
3-day Aerial Dance and Technique workshop with Wailana Simcock at Kalani Oceanside Retreat June 28-30
Friday June 28 9am – 12 pm & 3-6pm
Saturday June 29 9am – 12pm & 3-6pm
Sunday June 30 3-6 pm & 8pm Free Public Performance/Showcase
$180 for all 3 days
$75 a day / $40 half day
This workshop is open to all levels. Each day we will begin with floor and aerial apparatus warm ups, modern dance exercises, aerial skill building, and finish with structured improvisation. This unique 3 day aerial workshop focuses on exploring and cultivating the dancer as it is influenced by different aerial equipment, skills, tasks, and performance.
Email wailana@waicompany.com for questions and information
To register: http://kalani.com/workshops/2013/aerial-dance-retreat
I had the honor of meeting Jack Gray, one of the original founders of the critically acclaimed and awarded Maori contemporary dance company of New Zealand, ATAMIRA. I humbly accepted his invitation to join company classes as long as I was in Aotearoa. So, that's exactly what I did: I danced nearly everyday for two weeks with Atamira :))) I fell in love with them, their purpose, and their aroha.
