A Night at the Museum
This month, Tracks Dance Company presents New Light, a special performance in partnership with the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) to showcase a choreographic response to touring exhibition, Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize.
By Kate Conway
Born out of a desire to get dance out of theatres and into public spaces – a signature move from Tracks – the dance company was in talks with MAGNT on a number of exciting concepts when Archie 100 rolled into town, presenting the perfect opportunity to collaborate.
Part performance, part gallery tour, New Light consists of eight short and shiny solo works put together by talented Territory choreographers, interpreting themes represented in the portraiture exhibition through the personal lens of their different dance backgrounds and interests.
Outdoor performances being one of Tracks’ distinguishing traits, and having previously performed at the museum, David McMicken, Tracks Dance Artistic Co-Director and New Light Co-Creative Director, says the site-responsive performance is a first.
“This is the first time we’ve had a good, really creative environment … not just beaming it in, this is using the sites quite specifically,” he says.
“It’s quite explorative, we’re really trying to have the audience discover things rather than just having it sit on the wall in front of them so they come on the journey with us, it’s quite a little trip to go on.”
Dancers and choreographers occupy museum spaces during open hours to create the works, and welcome guests to stop by for a gander. Briony Nainby, MAGNT Senior Curator of Arts, partakes in an artist talk exploring the differences between art curation and performance choreography, allowing audiences to delve deeper into the thought-provoking project.
If you’ve ever wanted to peek behind the scenes at the museum, this is your chance. The performance takes place after opening hours, and meanders through both public and backstage areas.
“Being there at night time, I think it’s going to be quite magical,” McMicken says.
“It’s going to be incredibly beautiful, but also challenging in the same way that the exhibition is – not all artworks are liked by all people. And so to put things in front sometimes, to create a response or a reaction, is a good thing, too.”
Archie 100 Talk - Choreographers and Curators
WHEN SAT 17 JUN | 11AM-12PM
AT MAGNT THEATERETTE
COST FREE
INFO magnt.net.au
New Light
WHEN THU 22 – SAT 24 JUN | 6-7PM
AT MAGNT
COST $25 | $15 CONC
INFO tracksdance.com.au
Photos: Duane Preston
