How the birds got their colours

A stunning, Indigenous-led, site-specific contemporary performance piece fusing traditional First Nations dance, storytelling and contemporary circus.

A group of people practicing a human pyramid on a beach, with a city skyline in the distance under a clear sky.

Synopsis: “Living Sculptures: How the birds got their colours”, is a stunning, Indigenous-led, site-specific contemporary performance piece fusing traditional First Nations dance, storytelling and contemporary circus. This show is a collaboration between Arc Circus and Luther Cora and his team from Yugambeh Aboriginal Dancers, telling the important dreamtime story of How the Birds got their colours in a unique and physical way.

Primary Audience: General audience

Performers: 9

Run time: 45 minutes

Venue requirements: Inside/outside, air mat, minimal staging requirement, touring

Key acts: First nations dance and storytelling, group acrobatics, duo acrobatics and contemporary dance

Archival: Can be sent at request

This work was fully commissioned by SWELL Sculpture Festival

Archive Sydney Festival

An Archive at Sydney Festival 2024

How The Birds Got Their Colours Promo

A group of people performing a human pyramid on a beach during sunset with the city skyline in the background, and a review quote overlayed that reads 'This show was everything! Beautiful and breathtaking'.
A group of performers in black costumes forming a human tower on a beach during sunset, with a woman balancing on top and a coastal city skyline in the background.
A man with a beard and dreadlocks dressed in tribal attire stands on the beach holding a wooden staff, with a group of people bowing or kneeling around him, during sunset with the ocean and hills in the background.
Person practicing yoga on a beach during sunset with ocean and hills in the background, overlaid with a circular transparent area containing the quote 'I couldn't believe the talent' Audience review.
A man dressed in traditional tribal attire with body paint, surrounded by people at the beach, with a scenic ocean and mountain background during sunset.
Performers standing on each other's shoulders outdoors at sunset, with the person on top wearing a cape with colorful embellishments.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

The word 'SWELL' spelled out in block letters.
Logo for City of Gold Coast, featuring black text on a white background with a small pink dot.