PRAXIS is a multidisciplinary collective of visual artist Alexander Boynes, dancer/choreographer Laura Boynes and cellist/composer Tristen Parr. They collaborate between Perth and Canberra using expanded spatial practice to explore links between visual art, contemporary dance and sound. As a collective they present relevant and thought-provoking performance, installation and film works for theatre, gallery and site-specific spaces. As individual artists, they have been practicing for a decade or more and established PRAXIS in order to create something greater than their individual pursuits. The synchronicity between their conceptual interests and mutual concerns in recent years sparked the initial idea of collaboration. Combining multiple art forms allows them to produce versatile work, encouraging a cross-pollination of respective audiences.
ALEXANDER BOYNES
Alexander Boynes is a Canberra based artist, curator, and Program Manager at Canberra Contemporary Art Space, and has exhibited nationally and internationally. His primary training was as a silversmith, and his practice has evolved to include painting, photography, print media, light-based work, and video installation. Boynes’ work is concerned with the ongoing strength and significance of the figure in our visual culture, reflecting how we see ourselves and our perceptions of this country’s shared past. It explores human adaptation, the boundaries set by our environment, and the ephemeral nature of existence. His work reveals immediate glimpses into the present-day human condition and imagination, and attempts to address contemporary culture, its fears, challenges and the hope for a positive future for Australia.
LAURA BOYNES
Laura Boynes is a dancer, choreographer and dance filmmaker. She graduated from WAAPA with Honours in 2007 and has since performed and collaborated with numerous national and international directors and choreographers. As a choreographer she has made her own short works and co-directed large commissions for dance companies such as LINK Dance Company, Buzz Dance Theatre and the WA Academy of Performing Arts. From 2009-2013 Laura performed for Buzz Dance Theatre and in 2013 she acted as Artistic Associate alongside Artistic Director Cadi McCarthy, choreographing and co-directing Look the Other Way, Winner of the Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth and Community Dance 2014. Laura’s films have been shown in Reeldance, Electrofringe, (Australia) Cinedans (Amsterdam) and two of her films remain permanently in the Reeldance Moving Image Collection. In 2016 Laura was voted as Most Outstanding Dancer (Dance Australia Critics Choice) for her work Sous Vide presented at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2015.
Tristen Parr
Tristen Parr is a classically trained and versatile acoustic and electric cellist specializing in New Music performance and Sound Design for Theatre and Dance. He has toured extensively throughout Australia, North America and Europe and has recorded for Germany’s SWR and ABC. Tristen is a founding member of Decibel New Music ensemble, Silent film band Viola Dana, improvisation trio The Eldritch Trio, bands Schvendes and Fall Electric and noise duo HzHzHz. Tristen collaborates regularly, including performing, composing, designing sound and arranging for the award-winning productions City of Shadows and Life in Miniature. He has won numerous W.A Music Industry awards and in 2013 was nominated for a Helpmann Award for Best Music Direction for his work on Barking Gecko/PIAF production of Duck Death and the Tulip.