Lajamanu is one of the most remote communities in the Territory. The Warlpiri people who live there still maintain a strongly traditional way of life. Whenever we are in this community, we are the minority.

It raises many issues for us, such as a sense of belonging, identity, ritual or lack of, secret and sacred ceremonial behaviour, strong relationships with people and ‘family’, health, isolation and distance, materialism and lack of it, sexual identity and gender roles, activity and spare time, story telling, and the brutality of desert life.

PHOTO: Yoris Wilson

It is an unusual experience to be a minority foreigner on land that you had previously thought of as your own, as part of your heritage. Suddenly you realise that you have been misinformed and your sense of culture is thrown into high relief.

Sacred Space looked at the effect remote Aboriginal communities have on European people such as ourselves; physically, emotionally and spiritually. Strangers in a strange land.

Sacred Space was a multimedia work, blending movement, images, design, language, music and text.

"An honest, powerful and emotional performance….an expression of a wish for understanding between two cultures…a poignant and striking glimpse into aspects of Territory life."
Geraldine Green, NT NEWS

Choreographed and performed by

David McMicken and Sarah Calver

Composer/Sound Engineer

Robb Hoad

Live musicians

Anja Tait, Barney

Spoken word, written and performed by

Karyn Sassella