Psychology interweaves with contemporary dance and Renaissance art in Voirelia's De/Formed Revival, at the Shadbolt Arts Centre March 30 to April 1

Premiere draws on the troupe’s unique blend of inspirations

Shadbolt Centre for the Arts presents Vorelia Dance Hub’s De/Formed Revival from March 30 to April 1

VOIRELIA DANCE HUB’S artistic director, Alina Sotskova, is both professional dance artist and a practising psychologist. But those are just two of the strands that interweave in the company’s new De/Formed Revival, which blends contemporary dance with Renaissance sculptural inspiration as three dancers take a journey of transformation.

Using the metaphor of sculptures coming to life, the premiere explores the idea that we may emerge from a mould that someone else has built around us—and specifically, how gender norms are transported through time and the struggle to let go of what others want to shape us into.

The company describes contemporary dance as its language, the moving body as its voice, humanistic philosophy as its purpose, and human psychology as its fascination.

The performance at the Shadbolt will include a short talk by Sotskova each night, with a Q & A with the artists afterward.

Part of Voirelia Dance Hub’s ‘Minds in Motion’ project, the work, choreographed by Sotskova, features performers Hana Rutka, Ben DeFaria, and Will Jessup. Vancouver-based choreographer Idan Cohen has acted as artistic advisor on the project.

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