Wander the GreenWay, and you quickly become aware of geometric forms that appear suspended in space. These ephemeral shapes are part of a dance work in development by Sankofa Moving Architecture that uses black and white visual contrast to explore objects in space, the body, the body’s relationship to space (positive and negative) and progressively, the relationship between two moving bodies in high contrast space.
According to the Sydney Fringe, Sankofa is a Ghanaian word the literal translation of which is “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind”. It symbolises the Akan people’s quest for knowledge with the implication that the quest is based on critical examination and intelligent and patient investigation.
“With Sankofa at the core of exploration, Lucky Lartey will visit and revisit his traditional culture to inform the learning within and outcomes of this creative development, which in turn will move his practice forward into new interdisciplinary territory. By blending contemporary dance language and traditional West African Dance practice together to explore the dichotomy between contemporary and tradition, drawing out shape, form and storytelling while capturing this exploration of aesthetic. Cinema is calibrated to a white body. With a team of diverse bodies, Lartey will explore the unspoken landscape of capturing different bodies and skin tones sharing space in stills and moving image. Lartey will experiment with background colours and chromakeys to learn how to create resonance between light and dark skin tones to clearly articulate all moving bodies in photography and videography.”
Sydney Fringe
Performance dates: Friday 7 May, 4pm- 5pm; Sunday 9 May (Anytime)