Who is Vicki Van Hout?
A loner hailing from Dapto who likes to wallow in the absurd. That wouldn’t get me far on an online dating service. Or would it?
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I can’t imagine doing anything differently. I have goals I haven’t yet achieved. I do wonder what it would feel like to have more structure in my life, like an accountant in a mid sized company. Whatever that is. Or maybe a marathon runner.
Who inspires you and why?
My mother. She is the no nonsense glue in the family. She demonstrates love rather than say it aloud. Her favourite quip; it’s “her way or the highway”. We all acquiesce.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Keep trying to make a smaller footprint. Exist without unnecessary crap filling up my apartment and my head.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My dreams. They are vivid and filled with pleasant adventures. I don’t have nightmares often.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
If it’s beautiful out, the walk from Coogee to Bondi. Lots of great potential pit stops, and the walk through the cemetery always feels special.
What are you currently reading?
Thank you public transport for providing news print and a brief respite from digital screens. Still have to squint though. My clapped out eyes are suffering from my egos denial.
What are you currently listening to?
Tom Waits’ Chocolate Jesus
Happiness is?
Worth living for, even if it’s momentary.
What does the future hold for you?
Possibilities, challenges and surprises. Not necessarily in that order and not necessarily in equal measures.
Vicki Van Hout is a Wiradjuri woman born on the south coast of NSW. An independent choreographer, performance-maker and teacher, she has worked across a range of performance mediums nationally and internationally. Her work practice emanates from the belief that all cultural information is fluid in its relevance and that we both exchange in and adhere to patterns of cultural behaviour and its tacit meanings.
Her last show, Briwyant premiered at Performance Space in 2011, and toured to Malthouse Theatre (Melbourne), Brisbane Powerhouse and Darwin Festival in 2012, the first ever national tour of a work by an independent indigenous choreographer. It was nominated for an Australian Dance Award for Best Achievement in Independent Dance.
Vicki was recently awarded the 2014 NSW Dance Fellowship for established and mid-career artists – the first Indigenous winner of the Fellowship. Her latest work, Long Grass is currently playing at Arts House Meat Market until 14 March as part of Dance Massive. For more information, visit: www.artshouse.com.au for details.
Image: Vicki Van Hout – photo by Clare Britton