Bonemap - DEVELOPMENT: CONTEMPORARY DANCE

'the wild edge' performance developed through periods of studio research at The Choreographic Centre Canberra and Tanks Art Centre Cairns. This enquiry was in close relationship to the composers and visual technicians. Choreographic content focused on contrasts between performers in size, speed and movement quality. Images and transformations were also used. Translations between external and internal sensitivity and the body's relationship to texture and resonance were often juxtaposed with sound and visual references. Choreographic moments appeared in surprising relationships with other media. Through the filming, photography and visual installation process new and exciting movement research informed our choreographic development. The role of ‘non’ dancer being interpreted through abject movement and ‘un’ trained dancer expressed by Russell Milledge. In contrast the high technical balletic skills of Rebecca Youdell.

Rebecca Youdell and Russell Milledge perform Bonemap 'the wild edge' with music composed and performed by Michael Whiticker and Paul Lawrence. The performance utilises staging designed around video projection, Glen O'Malley's life-size photograms and an 'active' installation space designed by Russell Milledge. There has been mixed reactions to our performance work in terms of classification, such as, "it looks great but is it dance?" We decided early on through briefing discussions to call 'the wild edge' dance performance an artwork. The performance work has the potential to integrate visual installation pieces based on the site specificity of the venue. Great care and detail is given to sound design, and the choreography of the musicians in relationship to architectural or installed features. Preferred venues are large industrial style art centres or accessible environmental parks. Although small theatres and art galleries are also used.

During 2000 Bonemap toured 'the wild edge' to:
Canberra, Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, Tokyo.