jon buswell lighting design

"Aurum"  The Australian Ballet  - Choreographer: Alice Topp

Set & Lighting Designer: Jon Buswell, Costume Designer: Alice Topp

The premiere of Topp’s Aurum attracted the most buzz on opening night. Taking inspiration from kintsugi – the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold metallic lacquer – the work explores ideas of past trauma and the importance of acknowledging, even honouring, these imperfections. Twelve dancers embody these ruminations through luscious and lyrical choreography, set against Jon Buswell’s stunning design featuring a reflective gold floor and a backlit wall of fractured light.

Rhys Ryan - Limelight Magazine June 22, 2018

The lighting design and staging (Jon Buswell) captured the concept and mood superbly. As the piece progresses an illuminated backdrop of cracks appears, and the whole stage is suffused with a golden glow in the midst of which the dancers are left reaching for the light. The white simple costumes likewise harmonize with the purity and sense of regained innocence of the whole.

Irina Kuzminsky - Dance Australia

June 2018, State Theatre Melbourne Arts Centre

                                      Photo Credit: Jeff Busby

WINNER - Helpmann Awards - Best Ballet 2018