Two pieces from dance: made in canada-- Habiter and Leftovers

dance: made in Canada

Mrozewski Series

Habiter by Katia-Marie-Germain (Montreal)

Leftovers by Josh Martin (Vancouver)

Betty Oliphant Theatre, Toronto

August 15 - August 17 2019

Reviewed by Ted Fox

Habiter

Performers: Katia-Maria Germain and Marie-Gabrielle Menard

In Habiter, a woman sits at a white table-clothed breakfast table on which are a teapot, two cups, and some fruit. She appears to be awaiting a guest for tea.

Gradually, ever so slowly, she raises her arm, following which come a series of infinitesimal movements suspending us in time. When her guest arrives and sits down, her gestures mirror the other's. Both for example mime out pouring the tea, bringing cups to their lips and sipping.

There is a light on a tall stand to left-- all else is in darkness, with only this light to the side lighting one side of her face and the table. This chiaroscuro effect gives strong contrast sharpening the image like that of a Renaissance painting.

The light blinks on and off for seconds.This allows them to shift positions-- sitting, standing near and around the table. Creates blink of the eye tableaux of lives lived in the moment.

A work in which darkness permeates all. Where two lives exist in the moment frozen for a second or two in time. We the audience become suspended in timelessness. Meditating on the minute details of life we do not normally see. Hidden by the pace of our urban existence.

Like intruding on unspoken intimate moments as they are not conscious of us watching. We could be observing the creative process of a painter or a photographer.

Leftovers

Performer: Josh Martin

After the calm meditative piece, Habiter, Leftovers starts with a crescendo of deafening, high-pitched crashes of sound. We first see Josh Martin's body wracked and contorted in reaction to this.

The music soundscape becomes less intense but still very present, continuing throughout. His body reacting. Punctuated by periods of exhaustion.

The program notes state that this is an investigation of a body releasing and coming to terms with the states and sensations embedded within the muscles, tendons and organs. The dancer is doing so by entering his body and accessing them.

I feel that external sources are throughout impacting his body.

Also feel that this piece should have been shown prior to Habiter. The jarring irritating violent opening cancels out the calm meditative feel of the first piece.