Haute Couture and the Zen of the Cloth

Closings, today is our last day at La B.A.R.N. and the sense of calm radiating from the lake will be missed.

A common theme over the last few days in the studio has been patience.
But I am not convinced this is the word I am searching for or the framing to present.

The studio has been busy with ordering and re-ordering, highlight moments and bodies, and coordinating the octet. With the importance of play always present.

Complete freedom, acceptance and rigor might be more appropriate. Watching the reflection of the mind manifest in the bodies is the most curious and exciting for me. That in fact you can not perform with your "partner" or impose your will into the cloth.

You just have to do the task as purely as possible. The physicality and actions will fill in the rest.

Kicking up the Dust

Rocking the barn and kicking up the dust in morning class!

Jump combo (with kicks!) from Mocean company class

Dancers: Jacinte Armstrong and Ruth-Ellen Kroll Jackson

Finding the form to follow

The colour of infinity possibilities presented itself in the studio today. It was decided to clear the pallet and allow for the imagination to run wild.

Even while trying to avoid the air with a bit of bite, the pants were rolled up and the dancers stomped their way through the day.

Finding the plum line of cloth, folding white roses, and the question of the perfect kilt fold was solved.

White, with the knife in the study

Well I am happy to report that as our days together climb, my observational skills have sharpened and I am quick to add all the pieces together.... If you have any loose ends, I would be happy to help!

A Day on the Town

Yesterday was a full day off for the company. So of course we decided to escape into the city, and have a town day!

A little shopping, a stop at the market, sight seeing, a stroll through the National Art Gallery, and beer and cupcakes were all on the agenda.

"Suzant" was very happy to have a healthy serving of protein, and "Rhonaduth" savored her strong cup of Java in her new tartan bows.

The gallery had lots of riches to share from trailers, to graffiti covered corvettes, portable planetariums, beautiful bone and suspend barbwire.

The day ended with a cottage fable: the little hummingbird who does all that she can.

Layers of Wool and Weaving of Material

Today, we tried to find the happy balance between the warmth of the sunlight and the refreshing crisp fall air. The layers have started to accumulate in the studio. Both on the body and in the space.

Today is day 4 of our meeting, meshing and making. The new alternative to working. Today was also the emergence of a glimmer of something tangible. The presence of a piece starts to fill the air, even in our short period of meshing and making a history creates itself. I see it in the wood, the cloaks, the breath sinking into the bones.

The more we work, the more we learn about the lucky dragon, the dependable ox, the watery pig and the three earthy rams.

The White Japanese Death Dog escorts us on a stroll around the grounds, my time in the open air was interjected with phone calls from the office and the evening nightcap was a steaming bowl of Borscht!

Tartan Techniques and Life’s Lessons in Fashion

Day 2:

"First you need a good bellow, circle 1 and ½ times, stretching your arms like long sticks. Easy knees, half a swing step- double time, elevated centre and transferring your weight through your heels."

Spoken like the pro that he is, we watch in awe and absorb Tedd’s wisdom and mastery of the robe.

I feel lucky to be in the studio and have quickly transitioned into the Mocean Okasan, I watch each dancer full of pride, empathy and respect.