We’re very excited to welcome Winnipeg-based dancer, Thomas Oberlin, to Guelph to perform at Exhibition Park this spring! Catch him IN THE PARK Friday May 30 at 7PM, Saturday May 31 at 12noon, and Sunday June 1 at 12noon! & is a solo work, originally, from a series of three works, titled THIS & the last caribou by New Dance Horizons / Rogue-gorge led by choreographer, Robin Poitras C.M. and visual artist Edward Poitras. We are very lucky to have this work inspired by nature to be performed outdoors.
What motivated the creation of &?
Robin: Rocks are a focus in many of Edward’s installation works and hold a special place in robin’s work.
In asking Edward where the idea to explore our collaborative creation of a solo work entitled &, I was surprised to learn his influence came from early childhood memories in response to monolithic sculptural forms.
What do you hope the audience will take away from the performance?
Thomas: This work relates to history and nature and I hope through this performance I am able to help the audience in thinking about the land, animals and nature as a whole. I also think this work serves to honor the land it was created on here in Canada and I think audience members will be able to relate to this piece in relation to their own connection to the land.
How has your experience of performing this work evolved since you first shared it?
Thomas: There have been a couple different iterations of this work so far and this will be my 8th time performing this work in front of audiences. Like all of Robin and Edward’s work, this movement comes from a somatic whole body approach, so it is different each time. Performing this type of work outside also adds another element which I love. In recent rehearsals we have been evolving the work to relate more to me and seeing how that affects the audience.