entire human form. “It’s true that certain body
parts have more nerve endings than others,
but we underestimate the incredible potential
of sensations that other parts of the body also
possess,” says the choreographer.
In the second section this spillage melts the
distinction between bodies themselves, as sexual
energy leaps like electrical currents not only
between flesh but into the environment. “Our
individual bodies dissolve into one vibrational
mass that at a certain point also includes all the
objects on stage. We extend the notion of desire
between humans to include the relation with the
environment and its objects.”
The final sequence of 7 Pleasures complicates this
erotic spillage by reintroducing the distortions
and decay that characterise contemporary sexual
politics. Half of the performers are now dressed in
black while the other half remain unclothed, and the
imbalance gives rise to a visceral understanding of
the dynamics of voyeurism and display. “We focus
on the ways power and violence operate within
sexual images,” says Ingvartsen. “We do it in such
a way that makes it difficult to determine who is
manipulating and who is being manipulated, who is
giving and who is receiving the pleasure.”
MELBOURNE FESTIVAL
Provoking and inspiring, Melbourne Festival seeks
to connect art forms, people and ideas. At the heart
of Melbourne’s culture of creativity, we curate
unique experiences that bring people together and
break new ground in culture and the arts.
Melbourne Festival is one of Australia’s leading
international arts festivals and has an outstanding
reputation for presenting unique international and
Australian events in the fields of dance, theatre,
music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor
events over three weeks each October.
Artistic Director Jonathan Holloway
Executive Director Kath M Mainland CBE
04—22 OCTOBER 2017
www.festival.melbourne #melbfest
Melbourne Festival acknowledges the Traditional
Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and
work. We pay our respects to the Kulin Nation and
all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders.
OFFICIAL WINE PARTNER
OF MELBOURNE FESTIVAL
JOIN US AT THE FESTIVAL LOUNGE, FORUM MELBOURNE
Now pouring Mandala wines and open late every night of the Festival. See you there!
—JOHN BAILEY