Dancing made a man out of me ii

Image:
Salote Tawalevideo still from return to sender 2009
2:05 min single channel video 

16 September - 1 October 2009

Dancing made a man out of me 2 is an exhibition by 12 contemporary artists for whom dancing was a formative influence in relation to male identity. On show at Switchback Gallery, Gippsland Centre for Art and Design, from September 16 - October 1, it reflects on various experiences of dancing as a male rite of passage.

Gunnai dancer Wayne Thorpe shows dance as a way of instilling cultural pride in young aboriginal men. Film maker Salote Tawale, a member of an all-female boy-band is an expert on killer male body language, while Hell Gallery co-curator Jordan Marani recalls his older brother’s mastery of Sharpie dancing.

The exhibition, the second in a series curated by Monash Senior Lecturer Rodney Forbes resituates dancing as a rich arena for the discussion of maleness. Says Forbes, “Who can forget the scene of Anthony Quinn as Zorba the Greek, teaching his friend to dance on a lonely beach (a clip appropriated in multimedia artist Greg Giannis’ piece) or John Travolta walking purposefully to the Bee Gees Stayin’ Alive in the opening credits to Saturday Night Fever ? And of course, Gene Kelly’s astonishing dance in the rain, fire-bucket on his foot, along a New York Street? Dancing is an intensely physical thing, but also holds our dreams.”

Dancing made a man out of me 2 opens on Tuesday September 15 at 5pm at Switchback Gallery, Building 6S, Monash Gippsland. There will be dancing at the opening.