Larissa McGowan is a prolific independent dancer, choreographer and creator of inimitable dance works, with a history at Australia’s pre-eminent dance companies.
SHADOW SIDE explores themes of identity, ego and the move towards a more individualist society. The work has been inspired by the psychological theory of the shadow being the unknown, dark side of the psyche.
SHADOW SIDE sees the protagonist travel between two conflicting worlds. One being the present moment, murky and obscure, and two being an imagined world, where emotion is filtered and clear. In their journey the performer interacts with a secondary performer who represent an alter-ego / shadow. The work presents a dark shape-shifting of bodies, a dance with the self, and an examination of how we function as an individual in a broader world.
Throughout the work the performers tread a fine line between reality and illusion, as the shadow seeks to infiltrate the here and now, until the audience is not sure which is the self, and which is the ego.
“The Restless’ inResidence Program has supported a couple stages of this works development. It gave me the ability to work in an environment that allows my vision to take shape in a professional space and engage creatively with the Restless staff and dancers in an inclusive community.
Being able to show the work and talk through my broader vision to staff and creatives gave me clarity and direction.
I would highly recommend applying to this program as the community and energy of the space was inviting and real.”