DANCING WITH BEES
The Bee dance is a story of rebirth and renewal and the important place bees occupy in the continuum of life. The moons depict the emergence of both plant and animal, their codependence on each other, and the roles bees play in sustaining that circle of life. As the dancers return to their starting spots this indicates the current circle is ending and they they lie dormant until the seasons are right to start the circle again
Darren Smith, Paawankayu Ngurampaa Ngyampaa Murdi from the northwest of NSW
Dancing with Bees is a unique clock, installed at the entrance to Civic Theatre, inviting audiences to reimagine time. Eastern Standard Time (EST) was a hard-fought imperative of the 19th century linking diverse geographies around a standard set of increments convenient for trade. This form of measurement, which is now considered time itself, was layered over other approaches that were local, specific, seasonal, and non-linear.
Dancing with Bees focuses on bees from Wiradjuri Country, Orange, and surrounding areas, whose rhythms of life secure food production. In collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries, Orange, Zanny Begg created high resolution images of bees that form one face of the clock; one pollinator each hour, highlighting 12 different bees whose survival is bound up with ours.
The minutes will be marked by dancers who will interpret the specific look, colour or movements of the pollinators. Honeybees talk to each other by dancing, the inclusion of dancers will highlight this astonishing fact and invite audiences to think about what else we can learn from the insect world. The clock is functional but deciphering it encourages thinking about deep time.
Dancing with Bees is the first digital public art commission in Orange and I am proud that an artist of Zanny’s calibre was the one to deliver it.
Brad Hammond, Director of Orange Regional Gallery
To explore the story of Dancing with Bees visit the instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/dancingwithbeesorange?igsh=dnRmdHA0Z3lhbGg0&utm_source=qr
Dancing with Bees, commissioned by Orange Regional Gallery and funded by Create Australia, Create NSW and Orange City Council with support from Department of Primary Industries, Orange, launching in 2024.
Invitation to the launch here.
Choreography by Larissa McGowan in collaboration with dancers; Ashlee Wilson, Mike Hodyl, Max Burgess, Maddie Tratt, Claudia Horan, Harlisha Newie-Joe, Ella Havelka, Sarah Kalule, Paityn Klaare, Madison Gwynne, Lucy Nunn, Lylah Maunder, with tumbling by Aquila Rickards.
Costumes by Alexi Freeman, Quiren van Nispen, Zanny Begg, Michelle McCosker and Walanmarra Malungan Dance Group. Hair and Makeup by Nereeda, Alysha Maree Makeup and Diana, Elysian Hair and Makeup Studio.
Camera by Little Image Co.
With thanks to Jordan Bailey, Stephen Rangott, Orange Civic Theatre and Catherine McNamara, Milly Richards, Kate Tracey, Phenix Rickards, Saoirse Nicholson, and Elysia Ling.
