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Show: Sand Fantasy from China
Society: Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Venue: Venue 58. C Venues - C South Main Theatre
Credits: Sanji Sand Art
Type: Sardines
Author: Chris Abbott
Performance Date: 14/08/2019
Sand Fantasy from China
Chris Abbott | 15 Aug 2019 10:20am
There was only a small audience for the first performance of this gentle show but most were engrossed by this fascinating display of drawing with sand. Although sand was the main medium, at times inks were used to draw on water creating images that merged and then faded, sometimes creating beautiful effects.
It was the sand drawing that was most impressive however, and with a few deft flicks of the fingers and some sprinkling of sand to create darker areas, images of two young lovers appeared and disappeared. Although it took a while to adjust to the pace of the performance, most found it to be both charming and impressive. I have certainly never seen anything like it; it is quite unlike the sand pictures made by native Americans or indeed the sand sculpture still to be seen on a few British beaches.
Whether it is a theatrical experience is more uncertain. The drawing area is small and has to be horizontal and in order for the audience to watch, the sand is moved above a lightbox and this is videoed onto a large screen. This means that the artist has to be placed to one side of the stage, which is empty apart from the screen. Although it is fascinating to watch the image build and change on the large screen, it would also have been good to have been able to watch the artist at work – perhaps by a second camera focussed from above on her hands – but this might have been difficult to light.
Although not totally successful as a theatrical performance this was a remarkable display of skill and would fascinate anyone who enjoys drawing.
- : admin
- : 14/08/2019