Present Encounters : Papers from the conference of the Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, 1996

Dance and Spiritual ity The aesthetics of Torres Strait dance can be directly referenced to spirituality as it exists as a reflection of the external environment. The innovations in machine styles exemplify the nature of Torres Strait culture and its desire for surviva l. This is seen through its ability to adapt to external i nfl uences and to change such influences into a recognisable Torres Strait trad ition , for example the use of ready-made Western material in the construction of dance machines. It is arg uable whether this appropriation and use of non- I nd igenous material contrad icts the notion of the trad itional . This paper proposes, however, that tradition is formed by cu lture. For example, the fact that the feathers used i n the Sik-o installation i n this Triennial, are from a feather boa which was purchased in Melbourne and posted to the Torres Strait, doesn't mean that the tradition and spirituality of these objects are comprom ised. The aesthetics of the design and its use i n a dance performance context are the u ltimate intent, and access to Western materials allows this i ntent to be achieved with economy of time and effort. This management of time allows for the development of new dances which nurtures the continuation and evolution of the overall tradition. Ultimately, the evolution of Torres Strait dance is premised on , yet also supports, I slander spirituality. The ability of Islanders to adapt under pressure from external influences ensures the continuation of tradition and spi rituality. Islander society is evolving and, even though contemporary traditions and spirituality a re vastly different to that which existed pre-contact, they are still representative of the Torres Strait. This evolution and adaptation exemplifies the life and · strength of Torres Strait tradition. The culture itself may conti nue to evolve, and what is known as Torres Strait tradition today may be vastly different i n the future. But as long as the process of adaptation occurs, and the spirituality of the cu lture persists, Torres Strait tradition , cultu re and spirituality will most certai nly survive. Concl usion Throughout the enti re period of Torres Strait history, Torres Strait culture has remained unique, recogn ised as being d ifferent from the trad itions of both Aboriginal Australia and Papua New Gu inea. The strength of Torres Strait culture is seen today in the influence which it has on cultural groups on either side of the Strait. This resilience and tenacity of Torres Strait Islanders feeds u pon the complexity of I slander spirituality and belief in the self. Thus, regardless of where Islanders live today, be it i n the Straits, on the Australian ma i nland, or i nternationally, Islander spirituality ensures the survival of Islander tradition . 88