In a coup for the Brisbane Festival, Benjamin Millepied's visionary LA Dance Project has delivered an unequivocal triumph, resurrecting Merce Cunningham's long-lost masterpiece 'Gems' to a mesmerised audience. The performance, a headline act of the festival's programme, was nothing short of a landmark event in the contemporary dance world.
The evening was a masterful exploration of Cunningham's avant-garde genius, reinterpreted through Millepied's contemporary lens. The stage was transformed into a living canvas, where the dancers' precise, powerful movements interacted with a stunning, gemstone-inspired set and a pulsating electronic score. The result was a hypnotic and deeply sensory experience that captivated from the first movement to the last.
A Landmark Resurrection
The significance of presenting 'Gems' cannot be overstated. Once thought to be lost to history, this work represents a crucial piece of dance heritage. Millepied and his world-class ensemble have not merely replicated Cunningham's vision; they have breathed new, vibrant life into it, showcasing a profound respect for the source material while infusing it with their own dynamic energy.
A Company at its Peak
The technical prowess and emotional depth of the LA Dance Project dancers were on full display. Their execution was a breathtaking blend of athleticism and artistry, moving with a unified purpose that highlighted both the intricate minutiae and the grand, sweeping gestures of Cunningham's choreography. The company's chemistry was palpable, solidifying their status as one of the most innovative and compelling ensembles on the international circuit today.
This performance at the Brisbane Festival cements the event's growing reputation as a major player on the global arts stage, capable of attracting and showcasing world-premiere calibre work. For attendees, it was a rare and unforgettable encounter with dance history, brilliantly reimagined for the modern era.
