Lapse by Melati Suryodarmo (Indonesia)

Known for her bold, durational solo performances, acclaimed Indonesian visual and performance artist Melati Suryodarmo premieres Lapse, a new dance creation performed by collaborators from Indonesia, Taiwan and Singapore.

First released as two short films, this iteration marks the live performance premiere of Lapse. Here, Suryodarmo dives into the metamorphic constellation of body and environment through evocative, visceral imagery suspended in factual absurdity. With sound design and live music by Yuen Chee Wai from Singapore music collective The Observatory, Suryodarmo orchestrates movement patterns that steer the group of performers to connect by failures while collectively attempting a new structure and alchemy of senses.

Drawing inspiration from by-products of chaos and situations that represent a gradual decline in the efficiency, stability, and overall functioning of society, Lapse signifies a transition from a state of order and coherence to one of disorder and confusion. Within this deep-rooted turbulence, Suryodarmo points to the symptomatic nature of systemic breakdowns, ethical decline and societal disillusionment of our time. While lapses in society begin to manifest through the decay of behaviour, diminishing social cohesion, ruptured institutions and the disintegration of moral frameworks, the work investigates the unpredictable space between reality and a vision of collective commitment towards change.

Lapse by Melati Suryodarmo is commissioned by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

This production is presented as part of da:ns focus – Connect Asia Now (CAN), a weekend that spotlights contemporary dance works by Asian artists focusing on distinct voices and creative impulses from the region.