Maritzburg Sun (South Africa)

Exploring the concept of ‘home’

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Durban’s award-winning contempora­ry dance company, Flatfoot, will be performing their latest orta e ome, work, at the Theatre at St Anne’s Diocesan College in Hilton at 6.30pm on Thursday, February 2.

Choreograp­hed by Finnish contempora­ry dancer, writer and choreograp­her, Virva Talonen, the show features the talents of dancers, Jabu Siphika, Sbonga Ndlovu, Sifiso Khumalo, Siseko Duba, Zinhle Nzama and Ndumiso ‘Digga’ Dube.

orta e ome

is a contempora­ry dance art project which delves into the concept of home and its various definition­s.

Talonen says that home can be a practical or concrete place or refer to a state of mind or a bodily sensation, adding that most often the definition of home is in constant flux.

“Working far away from home, where the land, people, society and surroundin­gs are unfamiliar, can be a challenge,” she says. “You miss the language, family, climate, food, sounds, routines and many other things that become visible while being absent.

“For me, home is defined as a sense of belonging. My home is 16 000 kilometers north of Durban. What do I carry with me in order to feel like home?

“My choreograp­hic work with the dancers in Flatfoot

Dance Company is based on a specific dance improvisat­ion. I don’t give ready-made steps or forms, instead we work with the movements initiating from each dancer.

“The Flatfoot dancers’ dedication, courage and sensitivit­y towards this work amazes me.

orta e ome

“in Durban is built up by sharing the individual memories, movements and insights of home. It is a dance about those we hold close, loneliness, liminal spaces, mercy and about that very moment when you will be lifted up high in the air and the only thing you can do is trust.”

To book to see the performanc­e, go to https://forms.office. com/r/SbctR62Sfh

 ?? ?? Members of the Flatfoot Dance Company will be presenting the work, ‘Portable Home’ at The Theatre – St Anne’s on Thursday.
Photo: Val Adamson
Members of the Flatfoot Dance Company will be presenting the work, ‘Portable Home’ at The Theatre – St Anne’s on Thursday. Photo: Val Adamson

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