The choreographer Lucy Guerin bid farewell to her company, Lucy Guerin Inc, by performing in public for the first time in 13 years—an experience she described as ‘incredibly confronting.’
A Legacy in Dance
Lucy Guerin, a Melbourne-based choreographer, has defied the typical short career span in dance, boasting a career that spans decades and includes numerous international awards. After 25 years leading her eponymous company, she is stepping down and passing the artistic directorship to choreographer Melanie Lane.
Before her departure, Guerin showcased her talent in a solo performance titled Place Dances at Melbourne’s Buxton Contemporary art gallery. This marked her return to the stage after over a decade.
““I have found it incredibly confronting, to be honest,” she shared just hours before the premiere. “As a dancer, you always remember in your body what it feels like to do an arabesque or a jump. And part of me thought I could still do all those things if I just got back in the studio and trained a bit.”
She humorously acknowledged her own overconfidence, stating, “But I’m afraid that wasn’t the case.”
Influence on Contemporary Dance
Since its inception, Lucy Guerin Inc has been a pivotal force in contemporary Australian dance, influencing local choreographers like Gideon Obarzanek of Chunky Move and the internationally recognized Stephanie Lake. The company is known for its deep analytical approach and intellectual rigor, which can sometimes make its work appear academic to newcomers. However, within its minimalist aesthetic, profound ideas emerge.
““Pure dance is something I aspire to, but there’s always this level of theatricality that creeps in,” Guerin remarked.
