10 years of Next Move – Recipient announced
2017 marks the 10th anniversary of Chunky Move’s Next Move program and we are very excited to announce that independent choreographer James Batchelor has been commissioned to create a full-length work for presentation in November.
Next Move is an unparalleled opportunity for independent dance makers to create a new work fully produced by Chunky Move. For the past ten years, Next Move commissions have brought award-winning works to national and occasionally international audiences created by unique Australian choreographic voices such as Antony Hamilton, Byron Perry, Michelle Heaven, Stephanie Lake, Atlanta Eke, Adam Wheeler, Benjamin Hancock, Paea Leach, Melanie Lane and Jo Lloyd.
James Batchelor is a Melbourne-based performer and choreographer whose works have been presented by major festivals and venues around the world. Combining movement and visual arts, James uses performance as a tool to inspire a landscape of critical thought and reflection on the contemporary world.
James describes his mission as an artist as making work that inspires curiosity. To shift assumptions, widen awareness and create possibility. He strives to find ways that dance can be a conversation, collaboration and exchange with other disciplines and communities. His work is particular in how it recycles to context, from conception to presentation; it strongly considers how a performance exists within a specific space and time.
“I am so excited to have this opportunity to create a new work with Chunky Move. There have been so many inspiring works commissioned through the Next Move program and I am absolutely honoured to be part of this initiative that supports independent choreographers. This being the 10th year of the Next Move program, I am looking forward to working with Chunky Move and my collaborators to re-imagine what is possible. We will be working hard throughout the year on our creation and developing new ways to engage with audiences in the studio and online. Stay tuned!” James Batchelor
This March as part of Dance Massive, James will premiere his latest work Deepspace as well as perform in ANTI—GRAVITY (Chunky Move / Malthouse Theatre for Asia TOPA and Dance Massive).
We look forward to celebrating 10 years of Next Move with a two-week season this November in our iconic studios and cannot wait to share James’ new work with our Melbourne audiences!