Waves Are Disturbances
Waves Are Disturbances (you only see them when they break) is an iterative, site-specific project that engages with the ocean and the stories of coastal ecologies, alongside the communities that surround them. By employing the metaphor of the boundless ocean, we explore how we navigate external forces larger than ourselves, delving into the complex dynamics of control and consent, and our relationship with the natural world.
This ongoing dance research project has been evolving since 2018, with public outcomes that include films, writing, workshops, talks, and performances. Currently, Waves Are Disturbances is danced by Al Jefimenko, Siobhan McKenna, Alex Dobson, and Valentina Emerald.
We invite audiences to reflect on the intricate relationships between movement and the interconnectedness of humans with their environment. This collaborative project fosters a message of collective action, empowerment, and the critical importance of consent, communication, and collectivity in the face of the climate crisis.
Most recently, Waves Are Disturbances was performed in response to Observation Point on Bunurong/Boon Wurrung country, as part of the Know My Name exhibition presented by the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery with support from the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. In November 2023, Zoë Bastin served as the Artist in Residence at Police Point Shire Park.
An iteration titled How We Rise was presented in response to Merricks Beach on Bunurong/Boon Wurrung country for the Drift Festival at Silver Leaf Art Box, informed by five days of intensive development.
Waves has previously received support from various residencies and programs, including the Minimax Residency at Chunky Move, Gun Powder Trading Post Residency in Wolumla, NSW, Regional Residency for BLINDSIDE, Block Projects, the Emerging Choreographers Program at Dancehouse, Regional Arts Victoria, Arts Merri-Bek, the Centre for Projection Art at Collingwood Yards, the Centre of Visual Art at Melbourne University, Green Monday Studio Residency, Out of Bounds presented by Lucy Guerin Inc and Temperance Hall, On The Table at Dancehouse, Silver Leaf Art Box, Drift Festival, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, and Auspicious Arts.
Zoë Bastin acknowledges the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung, Yuin-Monaro Nations, Turrbal and Jagera, Wurundjeri, Yugambeh, and Gunaikurnai as the traditional custodians of the land on which this project has taken place. Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
The term a breaking wave refers to the shape of its movement. Usually waves like the squiggly lines you see, when radio waves are illustrated, are a continual movement. Up and down in a curve. Rippling out endlessly. This happens under the water in the ocean too, but near the shore this pattern of movement literally brakes. It stops working. The surface becomes open creating the curved shape of the beach wave.
This seems like an appropriate way for describing feelings. As if something submerged, going on for a long time in perpetual movement rears it’s head above the surface at breaking point. The way you told me to be more like you. To jump in. To be dunked in the wave of your feelings. To swim in even though I saw the rip from the shore.
Waves is led by Lead Artist & Choreographer - Zoë Bastin, and includes Composer - Grace Ferguson, Dancers - Al Jefimenko, Siobhan McKenna, Alex Dobson and Valentina Emerald, Dramaturg - Philipa Rothfield, Advisor/Outside Eye - Helen Grogan of Open Practice Studio, Community Liaison - Penelope Gebhardt, Videographer - Willy Pleasance, Photographer - Tilly Parsons, Graphic Design - Hamish McIntosh.
Special thanks to Gidja Walker, Mornington Peninsula Surf Sisters, Danny Lacy and Noa Smith Fletcher.
Waves has been previously supported by a Regional Residency for BLINDSIDE, Block Projects, the Emerging Choreographers Program at Dancehouse, Regional Arts Victoria, Arts Merri-Bek, the Centre for Projection Art at Collingwood Yards, Centre of Visual Art at Melbourne University, Green Monday Studio Residency, Out of Bounds presented by Lucy Guerin Inc and Temperance Hall, On The Table at Dancehouse, Silver Leaf Art Box, Drift Festival, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Auspicious Arts.