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“Nothing to Lose”

Kate Champion

Choreographer Kate Champion asked the question: what does it mean to put really big bodies on the dance stage? She premiered “Nothing to Lose” at Sydney Festival in January, 2015

Champion was inspired by watching the way larger bodies moved through the world, and dancing in clubs. It led her to ask why she never saw bodies like that on the stage.

kjdrinkwater“Dancing in a fat body is incredibly radical and controversial because it’s not done, it’s not encouraged. That’s what makes this show so interesting.”

Kelli Jean Drinkwater, fat activist

I certainly have been reluctant to dance with abandon due to my body size, and have only done so when in a safe and sacred context, where I could feel the freedom to be as I truly am. A fat body really does move differently, and it’s amazing to see fleshy dancers. I have NEVER seen fat bodies in this context before.

How does it make you feel?

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Dance that Fat Around

jenncurve
Not fat.

With Fashion week recently in the news, there’s been the predictable chatter about body image and the messages that designers are projecting on the runway. So much of media’s portrayal of body image has an aesthetic of the very thin. not exactly news.

Recently the lovely Jennifer Lawrence reported that “In Hollywood I’m obese… I’m considered a fat actress.” Mmm, that is some mighty svelte fat, if you ask me. As a certifiably obese woman, I find this mind-boggling, even though it’s old news. Way back in 1992 when Columbia pictures slimmed down their logo I knew we big girls were in trouble.

So today I offer you the Het Nationale Ballet (Dutch National Ballet) performing Groosland, 1989, choreography by Maguy Marin