Now in its fifth year, Dance Victoria’s LOLA Projects pair a professional dance artist from Vancouver with local dancers to act as a mentor or “outside eye” during the development of a new work. Alex Thompson is one of this season’s LOLA Project artists – she shared some thoughts on her experience with us…
It is in human nature to shrink from vulnerability and protect ourselves from risk. It is the nature of artistic creation to take risks and embrace vulnerability. Finding the courage to do so has been a huge part of the past 5 months for me. I have made work for other dancers, and I have made short solos for myself, but this is the first time I have ever been in a group work of my own creation. Vulnerability suddenly becomes even more of an issue than it already was! Su-Feh’s encouragement has challenged me to accept both the risk and vulnerability involved in the creation process in a way that I never have before. She has lead me to question things I wouldn’t have considered and has enriched my process in a truly tangible way.
This process marks a turning point in the discovery of my creative voice and direction. My piece remains a work in progress and I am excited to see where future endeavours will take it. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to be involved with the LOLA Projects and to learn from Su-Feh’s breadth of experience.
See some of the work and chat with Alex at her studio showing on February 6th.