Joshua's choreographic work is as diverse as his dance background and ranges from conceptual choreographic ideas to more improvisational and exploratory approaches. His transitional movement style underpinned by urban dance elements is clearly visible in his conceptual work, which uses movement as a tool to facilitate a choreographic intention conveyed through timing and spacing rather than through specific movements. His more exploratory work relies on stimuli evoked during the process of creation in an often more collaborative setting that influences the piece and gives it direction.
square1 is a piece of movement exploration. It explores the different levels of vulnerability and ownership in space and how these coexist and contrast each other during performance. The solo performer is consistently moving in 2 different lighting states, a blackout and a dimly lit stage as well as the gradual change of lighting from dark to light and back to dark. These 2 lighting states are representative for both vulnerability and ownership as well all the levels in between those those 2 extremes. Which of those lighting states more closely represents vulnerability or performance is left up to personal interpretation. The title, square1 is the description of the method used to create the movement material for this solo.
square1: The Place, 2019. Dancer: Alex Henderson Music: Sound recordings by Alex Henderson
Mind The is a piece created in collaboration with composer Erchao Gu. It explores the idea of loneliness within the context of constant potential social stimulation and how this potential often remains unused. A lot of the movement stimuli derives from simple day to day actions such as commuting. This is supported by a recording of a station announcement on the Singapore metro that has been integrated into the composition for this work. The piece aims to highlight day to day actions and how we go about them in a largely socially stimulating context. Actions that seem insignificant and are yet relatable for each and everyone.
Mind The: The Place, 2019. Composer: Erchao Gu Dancers: Jessica Child, Tania Chua, Iara Medeiros, Bethan Probert, Yasmin Roberts Musicians: Julie Aaquist (Clarinet), Ugne Vazgileviciute (Piano) Source field recordings: Sun Lu
Asymptoten RWRKT is a rework of a piece titled Asymptoten which is an abstract take on the mathematical concept of an asymtote, 'a straight line that continually approaches a given curve but does not meet it at any finite distance' (Source: Wikipedia). The dancers move in space creating the expectation of synchronized movement or a meeting, yet don't reach that point in the performance/finite space. The piece is driven by the idea that this meeting will have to take place in a different/infinite space and is analogue to the mathematical problem of having evidence but no proof. Asymptoten RWRKT: The Place, 2019. Dancers: Bonni Bogya, Eevi Kinnunen Music: Shango by Waajeed