“REFLECTING HARMONIES” Contemporary Dance Review

It took place at night in one of their pool areas which provided a sublime space for the dance and indeed inspired the work. To quote the publicity material, it was “site specific”.  Nuttawat Sitti choreographed as well as took part with four other dancers, Mongkoi Mongkoiswasai, Saengthip Wareesaengthip, Kittiporn Udomrattaankuichai, and Suwitcha Suwisuth.  The piece was crated by Manipa Jayawan.

The challenging and ambitious theme of this dance work postulated “why peace and harmony ensues after disaster and confect?”

This was an avant-garde work which challenged the audience and performers alike.  The programmed started at a very slow ponderous pace but warmed up later with some very memorable and varied images.  All the dancers were extremely concentrated and conveyed a haunting presence in and around the vast expanse of the pool.  There was a human sculpture-like quality permeating the work which was enhanced by the cream colored long skirted costumes worn by all the performers.  Needless to say, as much of the performance was in water the costumes became wet which added to their effectiveness.  Towards the end of the programmed we were bombarded by the recorded strident voice of Allan Ginsberg who read his didactic poem “Plutonium Ode”(1978) which is a passionate outcry against nuclear contamination and pollution.  This poem features in the Philip Glass Symphony No. 6 which was the final piece of music used.  This poetic and musical choice was unnecessary as the language of the dance spoke for itself.