The Hagley Dance Project 2023 had the special opportunity to perform a unique show at the “Shift” exhibition at the Canterbury Museum.

On the last week of Term 1, Tuesday 4th April at 6:30pm, the Hagley Dance Project premiered a show called ‘In situ; Urban Dance Takeover’, at the Canterbury Museum. The choreography was inspired by the amazing graffiti/street artworks and architecture of usually unseen spaces within the Museum. The students responded to and activated the spaces with dance, bringing the art to life.

Reuben Woods, the curator of “Shift” says, “I want to express how great it has been to see the exhibition brought to life by the dancers, thank you!"

The Canterbury Museum is now under redevelopment. In December 2022 and January 2023, many empty spaces and walls were handed over to urban artists from Aotearoa and overseas to use freely as their canvas. These extraordinary artworks were only temporary, when demolition starts, they will be gone forever. That is why this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Hagley Dance project students, guest Choreographer Fleur de Their and Dance Project Director Naressa Gamble to create their own choreography, dance, perform and explore urban art with movement at the shift exhibition.

Emily Napolitano, an audience member said. "Fantastic show! The setting was great, and the company used it well."

The show opened with a dynamic solo piece choreographed and performed by Phoebe Hazard on the first staircase after the altered colonial Canterbury Street. Her choreography was influenced by the work of Ōtautahi artist Johnny Waters and the staircase's structure to create sharp and impulsive movements, much like the artist's concept.

Next, guest choreographer Fleur de Their’s daughter Maggie, danced beautifully through jumps and rolls which transitioned into a group piece performed by Hagley Dance Project. The mesmerizing dance used the art on the walls of the old documents room to flow into distinctive shapes while lifting people into the air!

The audience continued to be ushered through unusual spaces within the museum, while getting to see various parts of the Shift exhibition.

The next performance was a heartwarming duet by Alistair Gorton and Phoebe Hazard, playing a childlike game of hide and seek around the space of the old offices while searching for, missing, hiding, and connecting with each other. They were inspired by a work by Ikarus (from DTR Crew) who had decorated three-bedroom scenes depicting his childhood, teenage years, and adulthood.

Next the audience were led down narrow stairs towards the Basement where all the artists had been allowed to let loose like they would in an abandoned warehouse or dark backstreets. Slade Clarke, Rangimarie Te’evale-Hunt and Faith Bautista collaborated to choreograph a piece portraying the culture of hip-hop and were passionate about the graffiti on the walls. Rangimarie says “we wanted to show in our dance that graffiti is a talent that should be shown and expressed freely instead of being illegal.”

The show ended with a strong group piece inspired by artists Flox and Sweats' contribution to Shift called, “A gift from the night,” a symbiosis of nature, light and neon in an Aotearoa night scene inspired by the wonders of bioluminescence and the artists' signature palates. Choreographed by Naressa Gamble in collaboration with all the Hagley Dance Project members and taking advantage of the UV (ultraviolet) lights, the dancers were glowing white, performing outstanding tricks while staying coordinated with each other.

Rowan Milburn, the Principal of Te Puna Wai O Waipapa said, “it was a great night.”

Congratulations to everyone involved in In situ for putting on a marvelous show.

Thank you, Darin Young for the photography, guest performer Maggie de Thier, guest choreographer, Fleur de Thier, and the Canterbury Museum for supporting the Hagley Dance Project to use the space. Special mention to Reuben Woods for curating the Shift exhibition and inspiring dance movement. It was an excellent, eye-catching show, and the Hagley Dance Project should be proud of how well they did. Naressa Gamble did a fantastic job putting this show all together for the crowd to enjoy. Audience members share excellent feedback from the show.

Rebecca Lennie said. "A huge thank you to Hagley Dance Project, guest performers and the crew for all your hard work to give us the opportunity to see a very unique performance last night!"