Images by Emma Fishwick, Emma Daisy Photo, Josh Wells Photography.
A Resting Mess is a wild, warm-hearted performance exploring personal and planetary fatigue. Ten performers dance through cycles of elation and exhaustion while navigating mountains of ‘mess’ - a tactile landscape of recyclables and household items. The performance flows from from moments of idleness to energetic choreography, from calm to playful chaos. The spell of this immersive journey is enhanced by Josten Myburgh’s live music that traverses whisper-quiet soundscapes, ethereal saxophone chants and moments of riotous percussion. Original songs by Felicity Groom bring humour and nostalgia, with the entire cast joining together in stunning melodies and choral moments.
Audiences are invited to find their own deep rest through careful acts of space-making and hosting. As they witness a variety of human moments and images, they experience a range of emotions - grief, rage and ecstasy. A Resting Mess is ultimately a restorative and empowering work; offering pervasive joy, moments of surrendered acceptance and a visceral celebration of collectivity.
“It feels more important than ever that we come together to dance, grieve and connect in order to rest and wrestle with the chaos of our world. A Resting Mess suggests we can face urgent social and environmental issues by building powerful community bonds.”
Reviews:
- 'Rekindling one's spirit while waiting for the world to end', Jonathan Marshall, AusdanceWA
- 'Bless this mess', Izzy French, Magazine600
- 'Powerful work is a paeon to rest', Nina Levy
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The performance is framed by a gradually accumulating whole-wall mural by a First Nations artist specific to each presentation. The 2024 premiere in Walyalup (Fremantle, WA) featured Noongar visual/community artist Zali Morgan. Visual renderings mixed with poetic fragments meditate on the pain, wisdom and restfully sustaining rhythms that boodja (the earth) holds. This aspect of the work - along with daytime activation of the performance space through installation, communal resting rituals, workshops and discussions - can be carefully tailored to location, festival and audience.
This article published by Performing Lines WA provides insight into the 8 year development of both this work and my rest-focused arts practice between 2016-2024.
Discover below the multiple phases of creating A Resting Mess and the many contributing organisations and artists.
Thanks to Adelina Larsson, David Pledger and the artists of the Strange Attractor Interdisciplinary Lab.
Images by Matt Cornell.
Thanks to Tanya Rodin, Renee Newman and LINK dance company as research participants. This interactive gallery version of the work contributed to my 2016-17 Honours research. For more insight see edges of resting and going.
Images by Emma Fishwick, Storm Helmore.
Thanks to Alex Kay, Bernadette Lewis, Josten Myburgh, Jay Emmmanuel, Mararo Wangai, Mike Makossa, Noemie Huttner-Koros and Rebecca Riggs-Bennett.
Images by Pixel Poetry.
Thanks to Lisa Nakaora, Laura and Saku Koistinen and the creative community in Kajaani, Finland.
Images by Lisa Nakaora, Saku Kositinen.
Thanks to Narelle Codalonga, Stephen Roberts and Geoff Glencross of All Saints College, artists Bernadette Lewis, Josten Myburgh, Natalie Allen and Hot House Company arts intern Dylan Smith.
Images by Josh Wells Photography.
Thanks to Bobby Russell, Felicity Groom, Mitch Spadaro, Tyler Hill, Will Kalimba and Rachael Whitworth.
Images by Josh Wells Photograpy.
Thanks to Aimee Smith, Ben Nelson, Felicity Groom, Josten Myburgh, Mitch Spadaro, Pavan Hari, Tanya Rodin and Will Kalimba, with practical and creative assistance from The Last Great Hunt as part of their EXPEDITIONS platform.
This project was supported by The West Australian Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
Images by Emma Daisy Photo.
Thanks to Alexa Peggie, Anna Noonan, Ben Nelson, Hahna Briggs, Hannah Matthews, Josten Myburgh, Leila East Giles, Liga Ubele, Marika Thomson, Miriam Marler and others.
Partnerships with Dunedin North Intermediate, George Street Normal School and the Education faculty at University of Otago were invaluable for developing the youth and community engagement aspect of this project in Ōtepoti, Aotearoa. For more insight see Caroline Plummer Fellowship.
Images by Lokyee Szeto.
Thanks to Ben Nelson, Felicity Groom, Josten Myburgh, Kai Taberner, Kelsey Diamond, Khia Emslie O’Brien, Lara Dorling, Mani Mae Gomes, Maree Cole, Matthew Morris, Muriel Hillion Toulcanon, pvi collective, Pavan Hari, Stephanie Pick, Zali Morgan and 20 local artists as invaluable workshop participants.
Images by Josh Wells Photography.
Artists: Daisy Sanders, Felicity Groom, Josten Myburgh, Khia Emslie O’Brien, Lara Dorling, Mani Mae Gomes, Maree Cole, Matthew Morris, Muriel Hillion Toulcanon, Pavan Hari, Stephanie Pick, Zali Morgan
Production support / design: Ben Nelson, Mark Homer
Creative producer for City of Fremantle: Stirling Kain
Images by Emma Daisy Photo, Josh Wells Photography.
