Dancer Dane Hurst: 'Art is as important as a daily meal'

The artistic director of Joburg Ballet speaks about his inspirations, including his early exposure to the great fine artists, as well as what is catching his attention in the world of performance

- By Mick Raubenheimer

Amid a historical production of Swan Lake through a collaboration between Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet, we speak to acclaimed dancer and choreographer Dane Hurst, the Johannesburg company's artistic director, about transcending limits and the heights of human achievement.

When did you first identify as an artist?

I grew up in the 1980s and saw James Brown and Michael Jackson dancing on the television, which was my first realisation that I was attracted to dance. I was attracted to the hip-hop my eldest sister was listening to and felt a sense of excitement when she stayed up late recording music off the radio to create mix tapes.

I was inspired by the artwork my younger sister created and the cool fashion sense of my middle sister, so I took a little inspiration from all of them.

But it was the mystical fusion of classical piano, flamenco and dancing feet on a dusty wooden floor that captured my imagination. As a child I watched dancing feet moving to music while I sat under a table alongside my grandmother tapping her foot on the pedal of her sewing machine as she made costumes for the Toynbee ballet school. This is what transfixed my attention and, as a result, dance became my primary focus.

What branch of art most stimulates you?

I'm very much drawn to all forms of art, however, photography and fine art draw my attention most.

I took up art as a major subject in high school and spent my time bunking classes to sit in the art class and paint and draw still life pictures and skeletons while talking to the incredible art teacher, Linston Erasmus.