The first Southeast Asian Choreolab at Rimbun Dahan took place from 1 to 9 May 2014, as a 9-day residential camp for 15 emerging contemporary choreographers from the Southeast Asian nations. It was facilitated by Janis Claxton, an Australian choreographer based in Scotland, and supported by British Council.
Participants:
- Nget Rady (Cambodia)
- Yon Davy (Cambodia)
- Otniel Tasman (Indonesia)
- Rizki Suharlin Putri (Indonesia)
- Chai Vivan (Malaysia)
- Fauzi Amirudin (Malaysia)
- Hii Ing Fung (Malaysia)
- Lee Ren Xin (Malaysia)
- Ea Torrado (Philippines)
- Sarah Marie Samaniego (Philippines)
- Shahrin Johry (Singapore)
- Chan Sze Wei (Singapore)
- Aditep Buanoi (Thailand)
- Đỗ Hải Anh/Yumi (Vietnam)
- Colleen Coy (East Timor)
Aims
To encourage emerging Southeast Asian choreographers to
- Develop regional networks among their peers and with regional dance institutions, for knowledge sharing, artistic collaboration and touring;
- Experience works of art, cultures, places and histories beyond their home, to increase international understanding and help contextualize their artistic practice;
- Adopt new choreographic tools, physical disciplines, thematic and conceptual approaches to enrich their artistic practice.
Format
The 15 participating choreographers (4 from Malaysia, 11 from elsewhere in Southeast Asia) and the international facilitator were provided with accommodation, food, local transport and airport transfers at Rimbun Dahan. All study sessions took place in the dance studio or in surrounding spaces at Rimbun Dahan. The program will consist of 7 work days with 2 days of study-tour to arts institutions in the Klang Valley, including the National Academy of Arts and Heritage (ASWARA), Temple of Fine Arts, Damansara Performing Arts Centre, Five Arts Centre and Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Classes and other sessions were conducted by Jack Kek, Joelle Jacinto, Lim Sae Min, David Lim, Rathimalar Govindarajoo, Alla Azura Abal Abas, and Lim How Ngean.
About Janis Claxton, Facilitator
Choreographer, producer, dancer and teacher Janis Claxton was born in Australia and is now based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she is artistic director and co-producer of the award winning contemporary dance company Janis Claxton Dance. With more than 25 years of international experience she has worked both independently and with companies and organisations in several countries. She has performed with The One Extra Company (Australia 1984-86), Michael Parmenters’ Commotion Company (NZ, 1990) and her work is strongly influenced by Erick Hawkins who invited her to join his company in New York (1992). Janis has choreographed solo and company works, community projects and children’s theatre including for Janis Claxton Dance, BeijingDance/LDTX, National Dance Company of Wales, Beijing Dance Academy, Lung Has, Grid Iron and Travelling Light.
With a passion and commitment for movement research Janis’ reputation as a teacher traverses the globe. She has taught extensively in professional, community and educational dance settings including Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Beijing Dance Academy, Dance Academy Arnhem, London Contemporary Dance School and Scottish School of Contemporary Dance. As an arts educator she has taught dance extensively in schools developing programs integrating dance with mathematics and literacy in primary schools. She has run 3 month full time professional dance training programs with a staff or 8 teachers and musicians.
Since 2009 Janis has had an on-going artistic relationship with China and has worked with major organizations and independent Chinese artists. She has choreographed for BeijingDance LDTX, Beijing Song and Dance Company and Beijing Dance Academy and her works have been presented at the DaDao Live Art Festival, Guangdong Modern Dance Festival, Beijing Dance Academy and Shanghai Expo. In 2012 Janis Claxton Dance collaborated with BeijingDance/ LDTX to open Beijing Dance Festival which was presented as part of the UK NOW Festival. Janis has a passion for continuing explorations, collaborations and networking with Chinese and Asian dance communities.
During the Southeast Asian Choreolab 2014, Janis largely worked on introducing the group to TACTICS, a framework for developing partner-based material, originated by New Zealand choreographer Michael Parmenter.