OURO is a Vancouver-based dance collective that uses street dance vocabulary (hip hop, breaking, popping, waacking) as a foundation for the creation and production of new work. The diverse dance background of each of the five members is used as a catalyst for creation through constant exchange, dialogue and collaboration to generate an innovative movement aesthetic that aims to offer a unique experience to the viewer. OURO’s vision is to bridge the gap between the urban and formal dance/arts community by fostering an inclusive dance environment and experience where artists of various mediums and the public can engage in. They work on pushing the boundaries on how street dance based works are created and presented.
After receiving support from the BC Arts Council the collective made its official start in September of 2014. Their first collaboration presented itself in November 2014 with photographer Jourdan Tymkow using OURO as subjects for her project, An Embedded Memory. From this process OURO created a site-specific work, which was presented at Serpens Gallery and served as the premiere for both OURO and Miss Tymkow.
OURO’s first work entitled, M. Sessions shows the research that the collective has done on the amalgamation of hip hop, breaking, popping, locking, waacking and contemporary movement. Guided by their mentor, Amber Funk-Barton the collective also explores various choreographic techniques for the development of movement that is unique to OURO.
The collective has performed excerpts of M. Sessions for Launch at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre (Dezza Dance), at their feature show/gathering at Kits House, BC Buds Spring Festival, Firehall Arts Centre’s annual fundraiser, Drink. Eat. Play and at Dancing on the EDGE.
September 2015 marks the first full year of creation for OURO Collective and they will start their second season with performing along side Amber Funk Barton at New Works Season Launch at the Orpheum Annex where they will be showing an extended version of M. Sessions and work in progress for their new creation, PACE. OURO’s second season will be spent working on creating a full length work, which includes commissions from Tentacle Tribe (Montreal) and photographer, Jourdan Tymkow.
The name OURO comes from the Greek word, Ouroboros, which often symbolizes self-reflexivity or cyclicality, especially in the sense of something constantly re-creating itself. In the context of the arts, this is the ultimate goal: infinite creation.