10 Questions: An interview with Shakti
Shakti, “The Dancing Phoenix”. I first came across Shakti when a French writer friend of mine mentioned her exquisite dance routines at the Avignon Festival. I sought to find out more about Shakti and how she finely blends her traditional eastern dancing with yoga to western jazz and contemporary rock music to spiritually sculpt her mezmerizing dance movements.
Photograph courtesy of Jorg Hacker
Shakti is also Artistic Director of The Garage International which has now expanded into Avignon (France), Adelaide (Australia) and Montreal (Canada). She is embarking on new ventures which she tells us about in her,10 Questions.
1. What made/inspired you to become a writer/performer/artist?
My mother was a dancer; my father was a yogi so I was brought up that way. I started dance and yoga as soon as I was brought into this world and it is a way of life and not a career. I want to express my beliefs through my dance. I want to reveal and communicate the energy and the strength and the vulnerability we have within us. And simply said, I love to perform. I love the freedom you have at that moment where you know that nothing can stop you and there is nothing to hold back.
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show?
My show is about energy and the freedom of movement and liberation. It is also about the sexual energy we have and feel that can be released with abandon. The public should expect nothing but I hope they can come with an open mind. My dance is known to be erotic but it is also liberating. The dance is wild and free, exotic and erotic, and I hope that energy will communicate to all.
Photograph courtesy of Jorg Hacker
3. What is your favourite Festival or Fringe and why?
That is impossible to say because each one is different and special. But I guess we all have to choose which to continue and which to give up. I love the Avignon Festival. The French people are very open to art and try to understand what you are portraying. They are interested in various cultures and traditions as well as the contemporary and theavant-garde . They don’t make judgments. We have our venue (The Garage International) in Avignon for the last 10 years. And it is the only non-French venue and we run it in Japanese and English. We out-French the French. It’s great.
And the Adelaide Fringe Festival is also great. The city is so enthusiastic and cooperative. And the Fringe Office is so supportive. Australia is multicultural and there are so many people from so many different backgrounds. It is a bit conservative and many do find me outrageous but I am used to that and that doesn’t stop me.
And of course I love the Tokyo Fringe Festival. It may be the world’s smallest fringe festival but just wait, it will grow. We have it in my intimate Shanty Studio. It is a place for people to gather and to perform and communicate and enjoy. I want to keep the personal touch. I would like artists to come to Japan, join in our fringe and then have a chance to see the country. I have many plans for the Tokyo Fringe Festival.
4. What’s your best advice for aspiring writers/artists/performers on the Festival/Fringe circuit?
Don’t give up. Don’t expect anything. Perform for the sake and for the love of performing. Don’t do it for the money or fame do it to better yourself and your art. Enjoy it, love it, go crazy and have fun but be serious. Don’t let a small audience let you down. Remember that one person chose you out of all the shows. Believe in yourself and don’t let the critics let you down. Have the power and strength to change them. I love the fringe!
5. What is your funniest and also, your worst experience performing or attending a Fringe/Festival?
Funniest – when the venue manager didn’t show up to open the theatre and we had to put on our make up and start getting ready on the street. He finally did show up around 5 minutes before show time. The audience was all lined up and they had apre-show. And we did start on time!
Worst – when the venue never paid me my box office money. The venue went bankrupt and never paid. (Over 2000 pounds) I had paid everything I owe them trusting that I would receive what they owe me. This is when I started The Garage International. I make sure ALL ARTISTS are paid regardless of the venue loosing money.
6. As you travel performing at different festivals/fringes, what is your favourite place to vacation and chill out and why?
Vacation – The outback. I love the Hamersley Ranges with the gorges of Karajan and the flowing river of Millstream and the Flinders Ranges. We go camping in December over Christmas and New Years. It’s around 40 degrees so there is absolutely no one there. Too hot for most people but that is when the cold waters feel so good. I love to be out in the total wilderness – climb, hike, swim in all the water holes and sleep under a million stars. It is so remote. You can go for days without seeing a single soul. Lots of wildlife. No mobile phone network, no computers, no emails, nothing. You feel the power of the land. No need to wear anything – only sunscreen. This is where I get my energy and ideas for my shows.
7. Who is the person you most admire/d and why?
My mother and father who taught me everything. They are/were my parents, teachers, friends and all. And my husband who supports me in everyway . I am honoured that he also lets me work with him on his projects. (He is a scientist taking all kinds of measurements in the atmosphere.) And his input and support in my Fringes and Festival is absolutely incredible.
8. What is the best tip you have ever been given?
To believe in yourself. To step forward without fear. Reach for the unknown.
9. What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?
“Kafka on the Shore” by Haruki Murakami.
It is fantastic. It blows your mind. The boundaries between reality and illusion are just not there. Time and space plays and entwines. The characters are all just so likable and, at least to me, so believably unbelievable. It shows a different outlook to life. I was just so thrilled with the book. It lets you look at life in a different way. It leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart.
10. If you could change on thing about the world what would it be?
A very difficult question. Because if you change one thing, the consequences may be quite different than what you want or what you thought it would be, thus making the fact that you changed it, meaningless. But I would say — “Awareness”. If we all had more “Awareness” we might all be able to make the change to something we really need and want, not only for our personal good, but for the good of the “world”.
You can check out Shakti’s website for more information about this talented artist, performer and director.
