Photo credit: Aaron Weber.
Moving is an intrinsic part of our existence, even when we think we remain still. Renée Newman’s gently guided tour through the hustle and bustle of Northbridge creates a contemplative experience of slow movement for each participant. Through shared stories and personal reflection on sensation in each progressive step, the experience develops awareness of ourselves and the universal sense of hope and longing from chosen and forced movement, removal and discovery.
Collecting headphones and a map from the starting point at PICA, we undertake a journey both around the neighbourhood and through the dynamic soundscape created by Ben Collins. Soothing tones direct us to move slowly, paying attention to our steps, musing on the inevitability of movement even on the cellular level. Inexorably, despite any personal reluctance, we are moving.
Non-site specific observations mark our routes, at various paces and sometimes with odd twists and turns, along the busy streets. In contrast to the surrounding haste and social chatter, each participant is isolated within the flow of the ambient music, stories and occasional instructions. With pauses to look up, around, to consider the sky, the movements of other people individually and in groups, relating the differences in behaviour and space to the flight of birds, the experience is in turns meditative and amusing. Within the urban space, when looking to observe the vastness of the sky with its distant calm perspective, I sometimes found my view impeded by ubiquitous surveillance cameras, an unscripted reflection on the watching of the watcher.
The walk is punctuated by individual stories of discovering a sense of home, personal loss and longing, creation of new homes and disconnection from a sense of self in forced departure, delivered with plaintive melancholy yet without self-pity. Including curious travellers adventuring forth to expand their horizons, refugees fleeing from constant fear and suffering to be stymied in their quest for freedom and the removal of children from their families, language and culture, each intimate sharing of experience flows into the next with ease, together forming a sense of universal longing and desire through time and across borders.
Creating a sense of place, community and individual experience, Seeking basic needs and other tales of excess is a compassionately conceived, highly researched and beautifully executed immersive, thought-provoking work.
Rating: 4 ½ stars
Seeking basic needs and other tales of excess
Presented by Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
Conceived, Written and Directed by Renée Newman
Composition and Sound Design: Ben Collins
Dramaturgs: Steve Bull and Marcella Polain
Cultural Advisor: Ian Wilkes
Contributing stories and voices of Lyndall Adams, Oda Aunan, Tanatchaporn Kittikong, Arad Niksefat, Federico Pidala, Casta Tongarasa, Ian Wilkes, Min Zhu, Behrouz Boochani, Steve Turner and Renée Newman
Commencing at PICA, moving through Northbridge
27 January – 17 February 2018
Part of Fringe World 2018
