In its 29th year, the Dance Umbrella is hosting many works, including collaborative works between various choreographers. One of those pieces is ‘Lady, Lady’ which was choreographed by Gaby Saranouffi, Desiré Davids and Edna Jaime.
This dance piece represents the personal journeys of three female artists from different countries within the Southern Africa region; South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar, and it explores the commonalities and challenges that each woman experiences.
Desiré Davids speaks about the work in this interview:
Was it difficult working with two other choreographers for one piece of dance; describe the challenges and a benefits in this collaboration?
Desiré:
“It is always challenging to collaborate but that is what makes it interesting. Collaborating with two other choreographers/dancers was basically a double dose of challenges. I guess one of the biggest challenges has been time. Time to create, time to fine-tune the performance after the premiere etc. All three of us are independent choreographers with our own personal schedules so yes, time has been a major factor in this piece.
The other major factor was allowing each choreographer/dancer the space to say what they wanted to say and at the same time keep within the outline that we had set. Our creative processes are different but we managed to find a common ground. We spent a lot of time discussing, planning, writing, listening to each other. For me, this kind of collaboration / exchange “fed” not only my creative processes, but also fulfilled me as a human being.”
What exactly are the challenges and commonalities that women from different countries/ backgrounds face?
Desiré:
“Come to the performance and you will see. We will be happy to discuss with you afterwards ;-).”
Explain the way this is addressed/ shown in this dance piece?
Desiré:
“Each choreographer/dancer dealt with the subject through a personal choice. We each have three clear approaches /characters and we use a bit of humour to highlight some stereotypical images.”
Why was this dance piece so personal and relevant for you?
Desiré:
“There is not enough collaboration between female choreographers on the African continent. For me this collaboration was important in the sense that the three of us were able to meet, discuss, debate and share the approaches to our work. We have also been able to work/perform in the three respective countries (South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique) thus extending our own networks as well as sharing with the local dance population in each instance.”
What more needs to be done in the dance space in Africa?
Desiré:
“We need to create more opportunities to meet and share within Africa and not always with an immediate outcome through performance. I think the research process is the most interesting, challenging and informative part of a creation and we put too much emphasis on the outcome rather than this process. More time should be given for artists to meet, discuss and share so that there is real growth and development.”
Lady, Lady is on at the Wits Theatre on Thursday, 2nd of March & Friday, 3rd of March 2017 at 20:00
R120 per ticket.
For more information click on link: http://www.danceforumsouthafrica.co.za/programme-2017.html
The Dance Umbrella 2017 is funded by the department of Arts and Culture and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, in partnership with the National Arts Council of South Africa, Institut Francais d’Afrique du Sud, the Goethe Institut, and the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.
