Blue Lapis Light: Elevating Dance to New Heights of Artistry in Austin
This aerial dance company blends the art of acrobatics and the power of storytelling
In the world of contemporary dance, where the boundaries of creativity are continually pushed and redefined, few dance companies can claim to reach new heights—both artistically and literally— that Blue Lapis Light has achieved since its inception in 2005.
Founded by visionary and Creative Director, Sally Jacques, this aerial dance company has captivated audiences with its stunning performances blending together the art of acrobatics, ground-based choreography, and the power of storytelling.
As they prepare to unveil their latest piece, “Belonging II Universe,” we gave their rehearsal site a visit and spoke with Jacques to learn more about the Blue Lapis Light dance company — a realm where dance defies gravity, and artistic expression knows no bounds.
rehearsal of Blue Lapis Light’s “Belonging II Universe” (photo by Earl McGehee)
rehearsal of Blue Lapis Light’s “Belonging II Universe” (photo by Earl McGehee)
rehearsal of Blue Lapis Light’s “Belonging II Universe” (photo by Earl McGehee)
rehearsal of Blue Lapis Light’s “Belonging II Universe” (photo by Earl McGehee)
rehearsal of Blue Lapis Light’s “Belonging II Universe” (photo by Earl McGehee)
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From Activism to Artistry: Sally Jacques’ Unique Perspective
At the heart of the company’s mission is Sally Jacques herself—an artist with a background in activism and a worldly perspective forged through a lifetime of travels to places like Brazil, Mumbai, and even United Nations conferences in Vienna.
“I grew up in Europe,” Jacques recalls,” and when I was floating around Rome, I would look up at the statues and gargoyles and think, ‘I wonder what it would be like to dance up there.'”
This awe-inspired thought laid the foundation for her journey toward owning her own dance company and studio, which now stretches over 3 acres, equipped with sprung floorboards and ceilings towering at 27 ft. tall.
Her commitment to human rights and her passion for environmental issues infuse her work with a strong sense of purpose. “This piece is about connectivity,” she explains. “We’ve become so isolated and fragmented that we’ve lost our global connection and our humanity to one another.”
After witnessing the horrors of war in the former Yugoslavia and turmoil in other parts of the globe, Jacques felt compelled to call out the disruption, “As an artist, I wanted to find a voice that could bring truth and unite.” she says, “We’re human beings together, and we depend on the Earth to feed us, nourish us, and we’re destroying it rapidly.”
Dancing on the Edge: The Art of Aerial Dance
Blue Lapis Light’s performances have graced a variety of unconventional settings, from rooftops to power plants across town.
Their ability to transform urban environments into breathtaking displays is a testament to their artistic vision, and the dancers seamlessly incorporate the surrounding architecture into their performances, akin to how poets skillfully employ the white spaces in their verses.
Each movement is deliberate, and the aesthetics intricately weave into the story.
Naturally, these unorthodox stages come with a new set of challenges to overcome.
When asked about the most formidable challenges in such an elaborate showcase, Jacques’ response might come as a surprise. It doesn’t stem from the intricacies of scaling buildings or the possibility of natural elements causing disruption; rather, it’s the permitting process that takes the forefront.
After all, envision the real-life scenarios they encounter, wherein they have to advocate for clearance to leap off of structures as high as 300 ft. tall.
“With this art form, you have to have tenacity. And not take no for an answer.” Jacques chuckles as she describes the planning process which can take up to half a year in advance to secure. Over the years, the dance company has built relationships with the federal government and various real estate groups in order to scout locations and obtain necessary authorizations.
It’s these behind-the-scenes actions that can potentially hinder the future of a performance, making them critical and pertinent to their grandiose exhibitions.
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A Dance of Reflection and Connection
With displayed projections touching upon themes of war and environmental concerns — compiled by Chris Rusch, using filmmaker, Turk Pipkin’s treasure trove of archival footage — as well as, graceful and daring choreography, this second movement immerses the audience in a narrative that transcends words and encourages reflection on the profound connections between humanity, and the natural world.
In a global state that is often characterized by polarization and tense discourse, Blue Lapis Light aims to place harmony and understanding at the forefront of the artistic conversation.
Their performances are not expressions of anger but rather a call to recognize the world’s hardest realities and how we can unite moving forward. “This is not an angry art form; this is about beauty and transformation while also pointing out the chaos we’ve created.” Jacques asserts.
“Belonging II Universe” promises to be a perspicacious exploration of the connections that define us.
The performance will run from Wednesday, Sept. 20, to Sunday, Sept. 24, and Thursday, Sept. 28, to Sunday, Oct. 1. and will take place on a structure with a lakeside view.
Find tickets starting at $25 here.