Deconstructing notions of beauty
South Auckland dancers will light up the night in lounge and loft windows.
As part of the Tempo Dance Festival, The Scenic View is a performance installation that will take place in the windows of Q Theatre.
Educational leader and artist Cat Ruka says the performance hyper-exaggerates and deconstructs the traditional notions of beauty that are embedded in shop window displays.
‘‘The dancers performing in the work will draw on the performance genres of Vogue and Runway to pose, model and exhibit their bodies to the public.
‘‘At a wider more social context, the work aims to make a statement about the absence of queer brown bodies in the familiar beauty narrative that pervades all aspects of advertisement and media.’’
Ruka says the idea unfolded when the opportunity to work in the windows was given to her.
‘‘It is simply a response to the site and the politics around placing bodies in public spaces of exhibition to be consumed by the voyeurs who walk past. It is also a chance to celebrate the fabulousness of my friends who will perform in this piece.’’
The MIT lecturer says she is looking forward to hearing the dancers reflect on the experiences of exhibiting themselves to the public.
‘‘Also the knowledge that might be collectively generated by the group around notions of beauty and parading beauty.’’
Dancer Moe Laga she is looking forward to showcasing beautiful brown bodies and talent from South Auckland in a environment that is foreign to them.
‘‘Also having control on how I’m represented. It’s all about freedom of expression baby.’’
World champions, NZ Dance Royalty and choreographers of the highest calibre come together across the diverse genre of dance for the 13th annual Tempo Dance Festival that runs from October 4-16.
The Scenic View is Tempo’s quirky little gift to Auckland, best viewed from outside, across the street from Q Theatre
The performance will be showcased in the windows of Q Theatre from October 5-13.Go to inyurl.com/zhroagr for the schedule of times for The Scenic View.
Go to tempo.co.nz for a full programme of events for the Tempo Dance Festival.