Choreographer takes a scientific look at creation in Relic
Ballet B.C.'s third and final program of the season features three world premieres by new talent to the company: German choreographer Felix Landerer contributes Everything will be OK; Vancouver's Out Innerspace's piece is called Strange Attractor; and Montreal choreographer Dorotea Saykaly presents Relic.
We talked to Saykaly about her piece, described as a “look at creation through a scientific lens,” and receiving the inaugural Emily Molnar Emerging Choreographer Award.
Q What is your previous experience with Ballet B.C.?
A In 2005, I did an eightmonth intensive at Arts Umbrella. As part of the program I took a class with the company. I've also been following them since Emily Molnar took over in 2009. And with the Emerging Choreographer Award, I've gotten to know the company quite well because the project was delayed.
Q How did you become the recipient of the award?
A There was a call in 2019. You write a letter of intent and propose an idea that you'd like to develop. It's mainly written but you have to supply excerpts from your past work that represent your vision and style the most. And the award comes with the opportunity to choreograph with the company.
Q How does this new work, Relic, fit in with your previous pieces?
A It's definitely an evolution
of the last two years. More than that, probably. There's been a homing in on a type of physicality, on a kind of theme. There's a theme that I've been interested in for a while. It's the idea of creating life artificially or synthetically. I'm a big fan of sci-fi.
A I always start from a point of physicality. I try to understand what a body is trying to understand about itself, about its surroundings. Through that I try to codify the movement with the dancers. Visually, there are some tools that I've been using to help, whether with set design or lighting.
Q Are you a science fiction reader or viewer?
A I haven't read a lot of science fiction. The writing that I love the most is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, which some would argue is the beginning of science fiction. Visually I grew up with Blade Runner in the house. It's my mother's favourite film. I've had that visual stimulus from a very young age. And then it varies. Essays, podcasts. A news article could be inspiration. I like to call my approach sci-fi renaissance. I'm interested in classical forms of art with statues and Renaissance-era pictures.