The term and philosophical basis for BODYWEATHER was founded by experimental dancer Min Tanaka and his MAI-JUKU performance group, Japan. As a former dancer with Mai-Juku 1984-1991, Tess de Quincey introduced the practice to Australia in 1989. The training is a synthesis of eastern and western practice and thought, drawing from ancient traditions as well as contemporary dance, sports training, martial arts, theatre, performance and avant-garde arts practice. It is a ground training devoid of any specific aesthetic that develops a conscious relation to our body-mind as an environment within a greater environment.
BODYWEATHER melds Asian and Western practices and philosophy. Exploring perception, observation and transformation, Body Weather articulates the climates of our bodies and our minds – proposing a ‘weather of being’ to negotiate change and to explore our world.
Besides her extensive performance work in Europe and India, Tess conducted foundational research over several years first in Lake Mungo 1991-1995 and then in Central Australia 1999-2005 which has had a strong influence on her work in Australia, She formed De Quincey Co 2000-2025 which has created a wide array of works at the intersection of dance, visual arts, theatre, music and performance in shifting scales for specific places – from a black box studio to a desert riverbed.
BODYWEATHER invites us to connect, experience and explore through our body-minds.