Ochres is a term used to describe a type of pigment made from naturally occurring clay minerals that are rich in iron oxide. These pigments are found in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, and brown, and are often used in traditional Indigenous art and cultural practices in Australia.
Bangarra is an Indigenous Australian dance company that was founded in 1989 by Carole Johnson and Stephen Page. The company's name, Bangarra, means "to make fire" in the language of the Eora people, who are the traditional custodians of the land on which the company is based in Sydney. Bangarra has a strong focus on Indigenous storytelling and cultural expression, and has gained international recognition for its innovative and powerful dance performances.
One of the unique aspects of Bangarra's dance style is the use of ochres in the costume and set design. Ochres are often used to paint the bodies of the dancers as part of their traditional makeup, and they are also incorporated into the set design through the use of painted backdrops and props. The use of ochres in Bangarra's performances helps to create a sense of connection to the land and to Indigenous cultural traditions.
In addition to using ochres in their dance performances, Bangarra also works to preserve and promote Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge through education and outreach programs. The company has a strong focus on training and supporting Indigenous dancers and artists, and has worked with Indigenous communities across Australia to develop new works that reflect the diversity and complexity of Indigenous cultures.
Overall, the use of ochres in Bangarra's dance performances is a powerful way to honor and celebrate Indigenous cultural traditions. Through their use of ochres and their commitment to preserving and promoting Indigenous culture, Bangarra is making a significant contribution to the preservation and celebration of Indigenous art and cultural practices in Australia.
Nandhu
The whole show was tremendous but my favourite was a series centred on relationships: two girls play with a boy joyously first, and two lovers caress at the end. There is mock fighting with a martial arts feel, using the spear throwers as well. The movement is underpinned with flowing gestures punctuated by long, sensual lines, but this femininity is infused with a primal danger. This company have an exhilarating physicality, unhindered by the self-consciousness of a more formal technique, but there are times where a lack of discipline allows the tension of this piece to sag. Domestic violence and addiction perhaps? In Yellow, womanhood is evoked with loose, crouched undulations and organic sweeps. What is ochre Aboriginal? Special cultural advisor and dancer Djakapurra Munyarryun appears throughout, dancing and singing with deep resonance. Ochre comes in four major colours: yellow, black, red and white.
This is because the traditional patterns that are applied are used as a way to represent the spirits of their ancestors. Large shells are used as water, or ochre containers. Most of it was in Indigenous Australian languages until the final piece which also included English lyrics. Both Page and Walong-Sene have individually distinctive choreographic voices, but what they share is a thorough understanding of the balanced intermingling of old and new. Michelle Potter, 9 December 2015 Featured image: Leonard Mickelo in a study for Ochres, 2015. Some of the lighting is like dappled rock.
These warrior figures anoint themselves with ochre across their faces, moving with deliberate, muscular intention. Djakapurra Munyarryun, painted in the traditional manner, spear in hand, provides a cultural anchor as the six bare chested dancers leap and scuttle with a ferocious charge. The resulting paint, which was brought to Europe by Arab alchemists, was used widely by Renaissance painters, particularly Titian who was known for his layering of the brilliant color. An abstract phrase of movement — the hand across the mouth — refers to the social dilemma of petrol sniffing, a major ongoing community issue. In the beginning of Bangarra, we rehearsed in Redfern — it was our stomping ground.
The two cultural consultants, Elma Kris and Djakapurra Munyarryun, lead this final section and, with all the dancers covered with white ochre, a spiritual quality emerges from sections representing a range of concepts from kinship to totemic ideas. Perhaps most impressive is the notion that this fusion of styles, now so familiar to Australian dance lovers, was pioneered through this work. The women, in long yellow dresses, move in angular, almost alien movements. There is a clear imperative responsibility, an expression of sincere respect for the mystical significance of the ancient traditions this piece draws on, but it is also proudly forward-facing, acknowledging the importance of accessing a more contemporary means of communication. . With Bangarra being fresh on the scene, these events fuelled our energy to create this work and we went on to tour Australia and the world. Munyarryun is shown as an elder instructing the younger men in spearfishing at one point, he almost spears us in the audience! The reds were made with iron oxides hematite , whereas manganese dioxide and charcoal were used for the blacks.
Why do indigenous Australians paint themselves white? Inspired by the four coloured clays — yellow, black, red and white — that have been used ceremonially by Indigenous Australians for millennia, this piece taps into the most sacred rites of Aboriginal culture. In the beginning of Bangarra, we rehearsed in Redfern — it was our stomping ground. The music was moving but also incredibly melodic and made me want to dance. In all its forms and colours, ochre is essential to the life of Aboriginal communities. .
These stories, rooted in the earth, are the cornerstone of Aboriginal society, but it is also a way of life that has had to adapt to coexist alongside the urban pace of modern metropolitan Australia. The fusion of Aboriginal symbolism and modern choreography not only offered a fascinating insight for non-indigenous Australians of the rich heritage of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island nations, but also provided a means for indigenous communities from the inner cities to reconnect with Country and discover forgotten aspects of their shared history. White, from Ochres photo: Jhuny-Boy Borja Black is a study in testosterone and masculinity. Ochres, first performed in 1994, became a watershed production for Bangarra leading to sell out shows around the country. By Lynne Lancaster of Photo top : Bangarra Dance Theatre in Ochres. Vividly bold and strong with wonderful lighting by Joseph Mercurio, this was originally premiered 21 years ago in conjunction with The Australian Ballet. Given that it has been 21 years sinceOchrespremiered it is probably not surprising that Djakapurra Munyarryun was the only original cast member to perform in this revival.
A score by David Page is evocative of the 1990s but retains enough power and emotion to feel relevant still. Is Aboriginal face paint disrespectful? Neanderthal home made of mammoth bones discovered in Ukraine Here we report significantly older iron oxide finds that constitute the earliest documented use of red ochre by Neandertals. It dramatically begins with a land cleaning song by Djakapurra Munyarryun, who is outfitted in traditional Aboriginal white body paint, markings and feathers. Ochre comes in four major colours: yellow, black, red and white. What are ochres made of? Choreographed jointly by Bernadette Walong-Sene and Stephen Page with some traditional choreography by Djakapurra Munyarryun this is a relatively brief, but well-structured work.
