EVERYDAY TEMPLES

The renowned Tony Yap Company (tyc) descended upon Ballarat’s historic Mining Exchange last night to a large crowd drawn from near and far, for the Australian premiere of Eulogy for the Living.

The excited audience queued down Lydiard St, overwhelming front of house staff with the unexpected turnout. Once inside we readied ourselves, standing, sitting, sprawling where space would allow, in the impressive hall of historic traders and contemporary home to the arts.

In anticipation we marvelled at the creative transformation of the building, adorned with Pia Interlandi’s large white fabric installation set against the arched windows, letting in the last light of the day.

Resembling giant prayer flags, tyc’s ‘devotional work’ began, as the ensemble slowly wove through the space, dressed in individual dance rags and partaking in a silent ritual of cleansing.  The centre of the flags became the temple, with Tony Yap (director and performer) presiding over proceedings. Five ‘movements’ followed, showcasing the company’s unique physical style combining Asian and contemporary dance practice and their spell-binding use of multimedia. This included a soundtrack of original & borrowed components designed by Gus Macmillan, stunning video work and live sound by Matthew Gingold and installation utilising the compartments of the building’s heritage architecture.

The tapestry of live bodies and voices (working at an amazingly precise and demanding level it made us tired just watching them!), recorded and live audio, projected imagery and installation, created its own language with which to communicate themes of transience and deeper connection, struggle and peace, ‘eulogising ourselves in each moment’ in order to move forward.

What to ‘make’ of the piece I imagine is quite a personal response for the many present, but the sense of contrast between the individual and group experience of modern life and a more spiritual connection to living played out in the various movements, coming to rest in a final cleansing.

A complex and moving work about making our way in the world, Eulogy For the Living was a creative offering to the people of Ballarat and beyond, that the audience will take and meditate on for a long time after.

Directed by Tony Yap Creative collaborator Yumi Umiumare Created & performed by Tony Yap, Yumi Umiumare, Adam Forbes, Janette Hoe, Yoka Jones, Geraldine Morey, Daniel Mounsey, Ben Rogan, Brendan O’Connor Video Design by Matthew Gingold Fabric installation by Pia Interlandi Lighting and production by Dori Dragon Bicchierai Sound by Gus Macmillan TYC Producer Kath Papas TYC is incubated by Multicultural Arts Victoria