Us And All Of This

In a world increasingly defined by rising geopolitical tension, ecological mismanagement, deteriorating labour conditions and social isolation, Liesel Zink’s Us And All Of This offers a rare moment of calm reflection.

Bringing together local dancers for a large-scale contemporary performance work, the performance unfolds across three large plots of urban public space, not in the pursuit of profiteering, but in the pursuit of togetherness and communion. The work was performed at Bunjil Place Arts, Centre Melbourne and Geelong Arts Centre. 

In collaboration with sound artist Lawrence English and dramaturg Martyn Coutts, Liesel worked with a team of core dance artists at each location to devise and teach a series of choreographic and improvisational scores. The participants, of various ages, ethnicities, genders and body types, split into small groups and collaborated in series of workshops with the lead dancers. The ultimate outcome is a meditative and sculptural dance piece spanning roughly 45 minutes.

Us And All Of This explores collectively and assembly as the antithesis of exploitation. It rejects the positioning of humans as something separate to the environment, and challenges the fast-paced, isolated structure of society. In this way, the performers move not on the landscape, but with the landscape, acknowledging our place as one part of a complex ecology. And for the participants, the experience extends beyond the performance itself into a ritual of coming together.

Us And All Of This forges a space for a diverse collection of people to gather, to learn, and to embody their shared resistance to an atomised way of life. It is not only a performance but a process; an exercise in the gentle act of shared creation.

We would like to thank our local community for their participation in this special project. 

What is the Betty Amsden Participation Program?
The Betty Amsden Participation Program started in 2014 and is an annual community event that inspires people from all over Victoria to be involved in a shared creative experience and to tap into their creativity.
These large-scale community events are designed to inspire Victorians and precinct visitors, engage diverse communities, break cultural and economic barriers, inspire civic and public participation, and build community pride.

Learn more about Betty, her legacy and Betty Amsdem Participation Program.

Credits