Review: Weathervanes, EdFringe

Summerhall – Lower Cafe Gallery

Review: Weathervanes, EdFringe

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

Part hypnotic performance art, part human installation, walking into the space is like entering a parallel dimension.

Described as a “ritual dance theatre experience”, Weathervanes is a groundbreaking piece of performance art that uses live music, human bodies and still life installations to build a magical world. We step into it as we would enter an alternative dimension – like in those fantasy films where different species of anthropomorphic creatures populate parallel worlds.

Coming from a background in classical studies, for me it feels as if I am part of an epic fable, where people who have sparked the wrath of the gods are transformed in trees with a human soul. Or even, an enchanted forest with captive fauns and nymphs, as such the naked dancers look, fluctuating ever so slowly on mirror-clad pedestals, surrounded by fog or quietly running water. They hardly move, immersed in a state of trance. I cautiously approach them as I would wild animals in their natural habitat, wary not to disturb them.

The dreamlike sensation is reinforced by meditative music produced live using traditional instruments from the Far East and profound vocals that sound like a chant.

A thick mist gathers on the floor, making its surface increasingly less visible. Encouraged to walk around the rooms, I feel subjected to the same spell. I sit on a bench and I notice some headsets right next to me. I put one on and a voice is telling me to be like a cloud – an invitation to be in deep connection with nature.

This is the sort of performance that everyone will experience in different ways, as so much of it is left to interpretation. It is aesthetically pleasing, intensely comforting, whilst also challenging us to find meaning in what we see.

Devised by multidisciplinary artist Jian Yi, the work is intended to adapt equally well to an urban setting, using pre-existing architectures. In Edinburgh, it is presented at Summerhall as a part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2023.

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Artistic Director: Jian Yi
Produced by: Journey to the East Productions

Weathervanes plays at EdFringe 2023 until 27 August, at Summerhall. Times vary. Further information and bookings here.