QUT dance graduate Claire Marshall is set to wow audiences with her new immersive dance film installation 'Permutations' showcasing at the Brisbane Powerhouse in June.
The production, which also includes four QUT dance Alumni, positions the audience in the centre of large screens where a multiple point-of-view story unfolds.
The story is set in 1982 when two sisters aged 16 and 17 farewell their mother and her newlywed husband on their honeymoon vacation. However, the short trip soon becomes an extended holiday, and the siblings are left to fend for themselves.
The idea came from a series of dance films Claire made as part of her studies and where her love of dance film begun.
“Dance film allows an audience to be up close and surrounded by screens and performers. It gives people multiple perspectives and is interesting because different audience members can have diverse interpretations depending on where they are viewing the show,” said Claire.
Permutations brings together her interest in immersive work with dance film creating a unique experience for the audience.
“I also think people are keen to see more dance, and during COVID most productions were viewed on a small screen like a mobile phone or laptop,” Claire said.
“It will be exciting for the audience to see dance on really large screens. Permutations also takes a ‘multiple point-of-view’ structure where the audience can choose their view of the characters and the alternative aspects of the story unfolding.”
Claire commenced her studies at QUT to become a film and media teacher but realised her true calling was dance and ultimately changed paths.
“It took almost two years to realise I was neglecting my passion which was dance,” Claire said.
“For a long time, I thought my previous study was wasted, however creating dance films made me realise no knowledge was wasted.”
Claire said during her time studying dance at QUT she was interested in creating work as an independent artist and her teachers helped her carve this path with independent study subjects.
“While only in my first year I was very head strong and pushed to audition my choreography pieces, which is normally reserved for final year students,” Claire said.
“The dance staff allowed me to create work, and those experiences are still some of the most special and important times at QUT because it encouraged inquisitiveness and creativity.”
While at QUT Claire choreographed the Savage Garden Affirmation World Tour and then went on to choreograph music clips for many other recording artists, including Kate Miller-Heidke, The Living End and Megan Washington, as well as work on television commercials.
She has since completed her Masters at the Victorian College of Arts where one of the films she created, Shift, won the 48th New York Dance on Camera Festival 2020.
Claire has a long history of debuting work at Brisbane Powerhouse with Permutations her eighth new work presented there.
Professor Lori Lockyer, Executive Dean, Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, said it was fitting Claire’s work should find a home at Brisbane Powerhouse considering the long association between the performance and arts space and QUT.
“QUT is a major partner of Brisbane Powerhouse and it’s a venue that offers so many opportunities for our students, graduates and staff across our disciplines, including dance,” Professor Lockyer said.
Permutations features four highly accomplished QUT dance graduates: Richard Causer, Bella Hood, Lucy Hood and Jacob Watton. It runs from the 15-18 June 2022 at the Brisbane Powerhouse - Permutations - Brisbane Powerhouse
Main image: Permutations by Claire Marshall. Dancers: Richard Causer, Bella Hood, Lucy Hood, Jacob Watton. Photo by Mark Greenmantle
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 3151, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
