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Media Release

September 20, 2004

Bringing the body into focus

Embalmed in ancient Egypt, glorified in the art and science of the Renaissance – the human body is a source of fascination through the ages. It has been a timeless source of inspiration for visual artists, and dancers use their bodies to express connections with culture, storytelling and music.
In the 21st century, from fashion to body art, medicine to religion, the body continues to provide a point of definition, a way to mark our individuality and our place in the world.

These topics and more are the subject of a new University of South Australia (UniSA) research group, Cultures of the Body, being launched this Tuesday September 21 at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

BODY CULTURES: UniSA researchers at a Leigh Warren and Dancers preview (from left) Jeff Meiners, Dr Vicki Crowley and Dr Susan Luckman

The official launch follows an inaugural free public forum Talking Bodies featuring four internationally renowned Adelaide-based choreographers and dancers — Helen Omand (independent artist), Kat Worth (Restless Dance Company), Garry Stewart (Australian Dance Theatre) and Leigh Warren (Leigh Warren and Dancers).

During the public forum these highly respected artists will explore and discuss their approaches to working with the body, including the ways in which they incorporate different dance forms into their productions, from ballet to break dancing, through to performance and how they work with other performers and artists.

Chaired by UniSA lecturer and group researcher Jeff Meiners, the presentations also feature a short film and a movement piece. Arts SA Executive Director Greg Mackie will follow with a response to the presentations before the forum is opened up to discussion, providing a unique opportunity for the public to engage with Australia’s celebrated choreographers and dancers.

In presenting such innovative public forums, the new Cultures of the Body research group hopes to create a space for practicing artists to work with the researchers – breaking down barriers between academics, artists working in their practice and the broader community.

“We’re interested in supporting performers and arts organisations, helping them interpret their work in the broader community as well as working to expand the academic field of cultural studies and ways of seeing the body,” says Dr Vicki Crowley, another key member of the research group.

Dr Susan Luckman adds that the group is focusing on the body through many perspectives – the way the body moves, the way in which people work with the body, social identities around the body and on the body.

“Also in this age, when we lead more sedentary lives, we’re thinking about the body as a site of health and approaching this holistically, not just as a pure object of medicine,” says Dr Luckman.

One of the first of its kind in Australia, the body cultures group is comprised of UniSA lecturers Dr Vicki Crowley, Dr Susan Luckman and Dr Jackie Cook from the School of Communication, Information and New Media, Jeff Meiners from the School of Education, and Professor Julianne Cheek from the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Talking Bodies – a free public forum

WHEN: Tuesday September 21, 6.00 – 7.30pm

WHERE: Adelaide Festival Centre, Piano Bar

Cultures of the Body Launch

The Cultures of the Body Research Group, to be launched by Professor Michael Rowan, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, will take place after the public forum:

WHEN: Tuesday September 21, 8.00pm

WHERE: Adelaide Festival Centre, Backstage Bistro

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