Dance Locale
“Over this very strange year I have been inspired by the drive of artists to keep creating, regardless of the circumstances. It’s in our DNA, and even in isolation my most rewarding experiences have come from collaboration with other artists.” Rafael Bonachela
With restrictions and limitations on live performance slow to ease, Sydney Dance Company continued in pursuit of alternative creative opportunities. In a collaboration with NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Dance Locale was created, a suite of five films conceived by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela and long-term collaborator, filmmaker Pedro Greig, to launch the department’s year-long Festival Of Place. Over a period of two weeks, Rafael and the dancers hit the road and shot incredible movement in Western Sydney Parklands (Darug Country), Sydney Olympic Park (Wann-gal Country), the headland at Maroubra (Dharawal Country) and various locations around Sydney Harbour including The Rocks and Darling Harbour (Gadigal Country). The final location, Wagga Wagga (Wiradjuri Country) was chosen later in the process when Rafael learned about the true meaning of Wagga; a place of dance and celebration. As a dance maker, Rafael was inspired that recognition was being awarded to a place where dance and ceremony had been integral for thousands of years. Performed by the dancers of Sydney Dance Company, and featuring the music of favourite collaborator Nick Wales, each film pays tribute to the connection between the public realm and the creative
spirit and filming them gave the dancers a space to move freely in the absence of brightly lit stages and packed auditoriums. Rafael Bonachela said “We became our own outdoor production company. Our tech team pushed a gear trolley, our programming team became film producers, and the dancers were so happy to be creating.” In November Rafael was invited to be a keynote speaker at Artstate 2020 which was held in Wagga Wagga. He recounted his special experience of filming Dance Locale #5 Wagga Wagga. “We came to Wagga and sat down with Aunty Isabel Reed and told her my ideas. Uncle Pete Ingram took us to the incredible dance grounds near the river. For two days we prepared the space and talked. It’s raining, we are pulling the weeds out and wondering if the sun will ever come out so we can film. Pete built a fire and Aunty Isabel came and welcomed us to this beautiful country. We were immersed in the smoke of this place, it was incredible. (…) then the rain stopped, and the sun broke through the clouds. We filmed the male solo in one magical shot. I get goosebumps thinking about it.”
2020 Impact Report
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