At “No Limits”, Vertigo Power of Balance presents contemporary dance Shape on Us, an intimate, collaborative study of physical presence and disabilities

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Visually stunning pictures emerge in the captivating dance Shape on Us as dancers’ writhing movements flow like running water and involuntary motions transform into deliberate gestures. Performers of diverse abilities and physical attributes interact and spotlight contrasts: tension and tenderness; fear and bliss; and rejection and support.
 
The audience is visibly awed by the dynamic interplay of bodies of varying sizes and shapes, a testament to the inherent trust and solidarity of our physical forms.
 
Shape on Us Vertigo Power of Balance, choreographed by Sharon Fridman and presented by Vertigo, a leading Israeli dance company, is a part of “No Limits”. This inclusive art platform is a joint venture between the Hong Kong Arts Festival and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
 
Eight dancers, both able-bodied and those with disabilities, collaborate to demonstrate how constraints can often inspire creativity and serve as a catalyst for diversity and originality. Despite their individual entrances onto the dimly lit stage, they are united by a common goal – inclusivity. They captivate the audience, unveiling the limitless potential and unique beauty of movement through their energetic improvisations and interpretations.
 

Set to a fast-paced rhythm, the dancers captivate the audience with their personal battles against rejection. The inaugural scene of Shape on Us embodies its fundamental principles: solidarity, trust, and interdependence. A performer using a wheelchair is lifted away from it and placed at the centre of the stage, where a group of attentive dancers repeatedly catch her. Another dancer consistently loses balance when others approach, leading to interactions through challenging movements – jumping over, hurling across, or running around him – encouraging the dancer to playfully embrace his imbalance. Thus, dance overcomes fear and morphs into desire.
 

Performers occasionally forgo their usual aids, which others integrate into their movements, creating a visually striking impact. This deepens the interactions among unique bodies, providing a fresh perspective. The performance visually delves into individual vulnerabilities and needs, seen in transient moments of tension, support, solitude, and affection. These elements eventually blend into a unified entity that appears to soar, highlighting the beauty of unity in diversity.

Dance critic Ora Brafman marvels at the conclusion, “a spectacular group scene … The group tightened and all performers touched and caressed the ones next to them, and with the right lighting and mild sound it was both touching and extremely beautiful. A true moment of grace.” (The Jerusalem Post, April, 2021) 
 
Launched in 2020, Shape on Us is a continuing initiative by the Vertigo Power of Balance, a division of the Vertigo Dance Company. The project caters to dancers and participants with various disabilities, employing a ‘contact improvisation’ technique that broadens engagement possibilities through physical assistance from partners. It showcases the extraordinary power of human will and the ability of disabled artists to use their bodies for individual and collective empowerment.
 
Choreographer Fridman has been associated with his namesake company in Madrid, Spain, since 2006. His dance career in Israel includes stints with the Ido Tadmor Dance Company, the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, and Vertigo. Fridman and his troupe have received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Max Award for Best Dance Performance in 2015 and the Max Award for Best Choreography in 2019 in Spain.
 
The collaboration
The partnership between Vertigo Power of Balance and Fridman came about organically. Fridman, a distinguished choreographer, understands the significance of balance due to his mother Ina’s diagnosis with Arnold Chiari Syndrome, which affected her mobility and balance. During his childhood and in their shared space, Fridman and his mother devised solutions for daily challenges based on fluctuating physical needs, from moving between chairs to rising from the floor or performing household tasks. Their shared experiences shaped the rhythm of life, mirroring the ever-changing rhythm of the body. Consequently, solidarity and interdependence became recurring themes in his works.
 

A particularly busy day sparked Fridman’s idea to choreograph a dance with his mother. She was enthusiastic, demonstrating her abilities. “Look!” she said, throwing her body onto the bed and rolling with ease. “My mother is a significant source of inspiration,” he notes. Drawing on his unique insights, Fridman has explored the concept of gravity and balance, leading to his distinctive choreographic approach.
 
During the creation of Shape on Us, Fridman dedicated substantial time to understanding his cast members and their movements, fostering opportunities for connection. There was no separation between dancers, regardless of their physical abilities. Everyone collaborated to develop a new movement language accessible to all. The outcome transcends a dance piece; it’s a lesson in listening, sharing, and connecting, says the choreographer. “I don’t create anything from scratch, but rather build upon existing discoveries. This allows people to observe the dancers’ movements and their exploration process. That’s the essence.”
 
Working with new dancers
With new dancers joining the troupe for an upcoming performance in Hong Kong, Fridman has been acquainting himself with each individual’s physical attributes, rediscovering connections and interactions. He delves into how these unique bodies actively and passively support each other, scrutinising the complex relationship between trust given and received. “Trust is innate to us,” he says.