Even his suggestion of composition and sudden inclination to pile a chair on his back rally for the claim that Nick Cave cannot escape abstract, three dimensional, and artistic elements from their permanent residence in his conscience.
Clearly, the form of the body can be made as much a part of sculpture as the inanimate objects it befriends. And who ever said sculptures must be statuesque? Enter sound suits. Enter cast. Enter art that is both innovative and integrative, and get ready to observe the show:
Meet the cast…. (well, a few of them at least!)
I think it is important to emphasize the significance of these dancers to the performance. I had the opportunity to speak with Nick today regarding the assemblage of the show, and he was sure to mention the important role each environment and community plays in its production. Although his sound suits and assistants are approved to travel with Cave, the rest of the pieces are left to be scavenged within the new environment. Through incorporation of local talents, settings, and materials, Cave is able to cater the performance to the specific area in which it takes place, and most notably, integrate the project with the entire community so that it serves to benefit all. He confessed that it would certainly be easier to travel with a company of dancers, trained in specific choreography and prepared to deliver a flawless performance upon arrival. However, based on the enthusiasm with which he discussed his current method, it is clear Cave has chosen the innovative and personally more fulfilling route.
Part of this decision means personally training his dancers and developing choreography in the days prior to the show. Tonight I watched as Cave instructed the performers on how to interact with one another in an encounter on the dance floor, toying between rivalry and affection, or carefully treading the line between the two. He gave direction and interacted through example, then slowly removed himself in order to observe and critique.
I watched as he watched his dancers, wishing I could see his vision and doing my best to imagine the upcoming show. His excitement is contagious, his energy infectious, and tonight I’ll likely lie awake— dreaming of sound suits.
