Un Ballo Maschero

I went for a Sunday jaunt around the NGV yesterday.  I DO want to see Napoleon, Revolution to Empire, but not amongst the weekend crowds, and for that matter not amongst the weekday school groups. (Hmm. I'd better pick my time carefully)

The jewel of yesterday was coming across a film installation in the European art gallery, James Fairfax room.

Un Ballo Maschero (A Masked ball) is a lively film interpretation of the assassination in 1792 of King Gustav III of Sweden, the event which inspired the Verdi opera of same name and indeed the film The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and her Lover.

Un Ballo Maschero is a contemporary dance piece, it's an assassination, its a social and political commentary with a homoerotic subsection (my interpretation). It's beautiful, elegant, theatrical and dramatic. The costumes are in the classic styles of 18th Cent. evening dress, however, the costume fabrics are vibrant and patterned with bright orange and reds, contrasted with greens and blues. The amazing colours struck me as quite African.

In fact the artist, Yinka Shonibare is British-Nigerian so that made sense. Read an interview with him on the work and the Crossing Overs project here.

The choreography combined contemporary dance with traditional courtly dance lines and movements of the time, balancing the contemporary and the historical referencing. At times I was reminded of the mood and choreography of  The Knights Tale. But this is more subtle.

If you're at the National Gallery of Victoria let me encourage you to go beyond the blockbuster experience, explore the gallery further and seek out Un Ballo Maschero.   I would suggest this viewing is a lovely contextual finish to your visit if seeing  Napoleon, Revolution to Empire.  

In the meantime we all welcome Tony Ellwood back to the NGV, taking up his position of Director this week.