Nineteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

‘How might shadows be culturally manipulated and constructed in a dance?’ This question motivated the development of Sombreiro (2018). The performance investigates the symbolism of shadows and darkness, inviting the audience to reflect on privacy and collectiveness. Sombreiro is one of the results of a practice-led PhD in Dance, concluded in the United Kingdom. One inspiration for Sombreiro was the behaviour of people who attended two street festivities in Bahia, Brazil, in 2017: the Maragojipe carnival and the Yemanjá festival. This field study explored a concept of cultural shadows, following studies by Jung and Jungian specialists. The piece is centered around the creation of vibrating shadows on the floor and the dancer’s skin, suggesting various figures such as distorted human beings and distinctive mass. The soundscape of Sombreiro blends experimental music by Hungarian composer Gyula Csapó with moments of silence, and sounds that I produce while dancing. Intricate dynamics emerge as I react to the music both directly and indirectly, alternating between waving and angular movements. The premiere of Sombreiro took place at The ShowRoom, Chichester, on the 30th of August 2018. It was also presented at the 14º Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space after being selected from among 130 proposals from all over the world. This occurred at PQ 2019 on the 8th of June 2019.