Inspiration was found through research with some remarkable collaborators, each with an in-depth connection and understanding of the spiritually and evolution of their art form. Each of these collaborators has made a seamless connection between traditional concepts of dance and the demands of a “modern” society.

Due to budget restrictions the research was limited to Brazil, India and China. In each country we encountered an approach to dance that gave direct access to understanding their way of life. This was vital in realising the vision of ‘Okan’ Nijo (ONE).

In Brazil, working with Rosangela Silvestre, we found practices in dance that maintained strong links to Yoruba traditions of Nigeria, with the orisas (deities) still having a strong influence in all areas of life. In India we worked with Surupa Sen and Usha Venkateswaran where we explored different traditional dance forms. We found strong connections between the god Shiva (Hindu) and the orisa Sango (Yoruba). Our collaborator in China was the acclaimed artistic director of City Contemporary Dance Company, Willy Tsao. We explored indigenous dance styles from various regions including Mongolia and southern China. China provided an intriguing insight into dance that reflects the human spirit and condition.