Wilhemeena Isabella Gordon runs the mind and body centre Soul, a touch of San Francisco in Titirangi, that offers workshops and classes with local & international movement specialists to support the ongoing professional development of movement/dance practitioners in Auckland and beyond. She's a multi-tasker from that planet and is a choreographer and teacher, somatic movement therapist, oh .... and she can fly too....Wilhemeena Isabella Gordon runs the mind and body centre Soul, a touch of San Francisco in Titirangi, that offers workshops and classes with local & international movement specialists to support the ongoing professional development of movement/dance practitioners in Auckland and beyond. She's a multi-tasker from that planet and is a choreographer and teacher, somatic movement therapist, oh .... and she can fly too....During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
4-8pm.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Loose and weird - maybe a little retro.

Who would you like to design/write/compose something for?
Pina Bausch - or maybe the Royal NZ Ballet.

How do you think your environment affects your work?
My working environment is hugely important - gotta be somewhere inspiring and green! YAH for SOUL!!!

The ABC of the arts: art for Art's sake, art for Business's sake or art for Community's sake?
Arts for our soul's sake - to stay sane!

The words 'dancer' and 'entrepreneur' seem like concepts foreign to each other. How is it to work in the intersection of those concepts?
Hugely challenging to say the least, but both lie on the fringe of life, always pushing the edges of the self, physically, spiritually, emotionally and - yes - pushing the edges of the human community.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Illusion Palace - it was such a mammoth project with over 40 people involved, and all riding on something I created from the ground up. It was positively exhilarating and petrifying at the same time.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I do both - the ultimate multi-tasker!

Describe the ways in which your childhood play has influenced how you work as an adult.
HMMMM... my childhood... what never ever ever to do as an adult! How NOT to live and what to stay away from at all costs!

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
SOUL.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
In bed, with the lights off, on a perfectly formed stereo surround sound system - it drifts though your soul!

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A sun shade - for those on the beach sipping the gin and tonic moments.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Don't get out of bed!!!

What's your favourite word?
SOUL.

What's great about today?
The sun is shining, the gig is waiting, the dancers are arriving, the money is coming, the tuis are singing, the floor is wooden and empty, the water is cold and fresh...

Interview by Jacquie Clarke

24/1/07