One of New Zealand’s most respected dancers and choreographers is working on a new full-length work inspired by a near-death experience.
Neil Ieremia, founder of prestigious contemporary dance group Black Grace, said a recent health scare had changed his priorities and inspired him to create new work.
“It’s not so much about death, it’s more about life. When you come face to face with death, as I did this year, you start thinking about all the things that contribute to your life and to living,” he said.
“I had to have a procedure done that bought me pretty close to the edge, but I’m alright.
”It was one of those things where you take a major risk when you have these things done. I have two beautiful children and a wonderful partner so the idea of losing them is just one of those moments. I thought: ‘If I live, I’m going to make a dance about this’.”
The new work, called
