Four Weeks in at Abel Tasman Village
“Vim & Vigour – Contemporary Dancer, Jasmine”, by Lyndal Irons 2019.
The photos say it all.
Abel Tasman Village, Chester Hill and I.C.E. have partnered for a year long intensive exploration, research and analysis project offering collaborative and immersive creative activities to improve the daily lives of people in aged and dementia care. Five programs utilising different modes of engagement will be trialled.
The first two programs started in May and involve frail and dementia unit residents participating each Saturday for twelve weeks in Vim & Vigour, a seated dance exercise class with guest dance performances and one on one, in-room sessions, and Naomi & Liam’s Craft Club, led by Naomi Oliver and Liam Benson with a host of guest contemporary artists.
The residents have been working hard in the Vim & Vigour class and have seen performances by amazing contemporary dancers Narelle Benjamin and Jasmine Lancaster and eleven lovely junior dancers from Barker Dance School. They are making wonderful art in Craft Club… fabric and wire sculptures with Sam Holt; small expressive abstract paintings with Danielle Gullotta from Art Gallery of NSW; large expressive watercolours with Cindy & Michelle from Museum of Contemporary Art and striking “paintings” made with colourful electrical tape.
Words by Victoria Harbutt
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