As part of the Dundee Ignite Festival, visitors to Wellgate will have the opportunity to step into one of the vacant shopping units where their senses will be stimulated by fresh oranges.
Between Wednesday 11 May and Sunday 15 May 2016, shoppers will be surrounded by a sweet citric smell on entering Unit V (next to Iceland), where they can explore ‘Anna with Orange, an art installation with oranges, enhanced by a contemporary dance performance. The oranges are being donated by Tesco Metro on Murraygate.
The event is facilitated by scientist, lecturer and choreographer Dr Corinne Jola, Psychology Lecturer at Abertay University. Others involved are Ana Ines-Jabares Pit (set design), Madira Gregurek (dancer), Nahum (Music) and Jill Skulina (costume design).
Dr Jola said, “The event will embody the bitter-sweet nature of life - of joy and hardship, power and seduction from a feminine perspective. The installation is inspired by the meanings of oranges, which have political, social and religious relevance throughout history. They are of course a delicious fruit, giving joy, providing a refreshing exotic taste - but they are also objects of conflict, often referred to as a fruit of promise. They also represent life in all its facets: like oranges, one has to have a thick skin to combat life’s struggles.”
Of course, oranges also have strong local significance.
Dr Jola explained, “One connection with Dundee goes back to the late 18th century. As the story goes, a Spanish ship took refuge from a heavy storm in Dundee Harbour, with a cargo of oranges. These were bought by the courageous merchant, Keillor, just to find that they were too bitter to consume. Dundee, the City of Many Discoveries, has innovation at its core, and Janet Keillor, the merchant’s wife used the oranges to create what was to become the well-known Dundee Marmalade. We hope that the event will give shoppers to Wellgate a new experience – and hopefully open up their senses and give inspiration, supporting the spark of innovation.”
The 20 minute dance performances will take place on Thursday 12 May (4.30pm), Saturday 14 May (10.30am, 1pm, 3pm) and on Sunday (1.30pm, 3pm). Any oranges which are still fit for consumption will be given away for free after the last performance on Sunday.
For more information about Ignite, visit www.ignitednd.co.uk
