momenta
– A Journey Into the Poetry and Physics of Human Connection –
Sydney Dance Company presents the Melbourne debut of Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela’s latest full-length dance work momenta at Arts Centre Melbourne from 8-12 October.
The new creation by Bonachela, which received critical acclaim when premiering in Sydney, rejoices in the profound beauty and fragility of shared humanity, exploring transient moments and encounters through the dynamic physicality of contemporary dance.
The 17 dancers of Sydney Dance Company transcend physical limitations, exploring the full range of their bodies with grace, power and vulnerability, the relentless energy of the Company making a profound impact on audiences. Each movement resonates through space, drawing audiences into a world where raw emotion fuses with exquisite technique.
Through the captivating interplay of Bonachela’s signature choreographic style, rich with rhythmic patterning and inventive partnering, Nick Wales’ evocative electronic soundscapes featuring Pēteris Vasks, Elizabeth Gadsby’s immersive set design and Damien Cooper’s striking lighting, momenta captures the essence of fleeting moments suspended between past and future, where individual trajectories collide and intertwine.
Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela;
“We’re thrilled to present momenta in Melbourne for the first time. momenta is a testament to the ephemeral yet profound connections that weave through all of our lives. From the most tender exchanges to an intense physical storm, the dancers traverse the beauty and complexity of the human experience. It’s a deeply personal exploration, as we invite audiences to join us on a journey that speaks to the very essence of what it means to be alive, where pure movement becomes a language of connection and expression.”
Elizabeth Gadsby on the creation of the set design for momenta;
“I have always been captivated by physics and space. The notion of a universal hum, that every moment holds the vibration of everything that has ever been, is a concept that has been a huge inspiration during the momenta creative process. I loved that sense of movement existing on this imperceptible yet universal scale – universal in the sense of both space and time. There is something about the human body’s place within this that I find fascinating.”
“momenta is an electric and arresting celebration of light and life that feels almost sacred
in its reverence for the power of the body to connect and communicate” – Sydney Morning Herald ️️️️️
momenta
Choreography: Rafael Bonachela
Music: Original Score by Nick Wales featuring “Distant Light” by Pēteris Vasks
Lighting Design: Damien Cooper
Set and Costume Design: Elizabeth Gadsby
Associate Costume Design: Emma White
