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‘Jagad’ by Monica Lim, Rianto and Melanie Lane: How many universities do we inhabit? 

'Jagad' by Monica Lim, Rianto and Melanie Lane. Photo by Hananta Kusuma.
'Jagad' by Monica Lim, Rianto and Melanie Lane. Photo by Hananta Kusuma.

Complex realities merge with inner worlds in the mystical and striking new dance work by Monica Lim, Rianto and Melanie Lane: Jagad.

Inspired by Javanese concepts of the inner and outer universe – each feeding into and mingling with the other – Jagad is a rich tapestry of overlapping viewpoints, the real and artificial, the physical and the ethereal.

Throughout Jagad, time is fluid while an ensemble of dancers navigate their universe as live cameras feed videos and projections that distort and shift perceptions.

A screen divides the entire performance space as audiences choose which side to experience the work, where their view may be obstructed through the projections and movement of the dancers.

Experimental Malaysian-Australian composer Monica Lim explains that Jadag asks: how do we translate ourselves?

“It’s like we’re stuck in an expanded prism where we present a different version of ourselves depending on where we are and who we talk to – particularly for those of us who live in the borders between cultures and definitions,” said Lim.

Jagad is an international collaboration that began three years ago as a short dance film created by Lim and iconic Indonesian director Garin Nugroho – it has now transformed into a lavish live dance experience.

Lim has teamed up with two of the most innovative contemporary dance-makers, legendary Javanese dancer Rianto and Javanese-Australian choreographer Melanie Lane, to co-create this new performance work.

Experience Jagad as scale of varying sizes shift into dizzying effect. Come and discover your universe.

The world premiere of Jagad by Monica Lim, Rianto and Melanie Lane will be presented from 3 – 7 August at Arts House – North Melbourne Town Hall. For bookings, visit www.artshouse.com.au/events/jagad.

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