Inspired by the three-part classical ballet work Jewels, which was created for the New York City Ballet by its co-founder George Balanchine in 1967, Gems is a trilogy of contemporary dance works by French dancer, choreographer, and founder of the L.A. Dance project Benjamin Millepied. In an exclusive season, the three works were performed together for the first time as part of Brisbane Festival 2025.
The works that comprise Gems were commissioned by the French jewellery brand Van Cleef & Arpels as a modern interpretation of Balanchine’s iconic Jewels, with Claude Arpels having made the original suggestion for Jewels. In both cases, each of the distinct dance works takes inspiration from one precious stone, although Balanchine stated that his choreography was not inspired by jewels – the title came from the jewel tones of the costuming, originally by Barbara Karinska. Each movement of Jewels used music from a different composer, while Gems draws heavily on the work of modern American composer Philip Glass. Like Jewels, sometimes considered to be an abstract three-act ballet, Gems was presented in three distinct parts with an interval between each.
Performed by eight dancers, Gems began with Reflections, which premiered in 2013 and was positioned as a contemporary counterpoint to Balanchine’s Rubies. The visual concept by artist Barbara Kruger used the harsh contrast of white text against a red backdrop, looming over the dancers from above and glowing beneath their feet, surrounding the choreography in the sentiment of the words – Stay, Go, Think of me thinking of you.
The soft lyricism of the dancers’ movement, fluid even in stillness, was offset by the aggressive shout of the scenery, with lighting design by Masha Tsimring illuminating different words in Kruger’s design as the piece progressed. Millepied’s choreography was set to a selection of works for piano from composer David Lang’s This Was Written by Hand/Memory Pieces and was performed live for the Brisbane season by pianist Yanfeng Tony Bai from Los Angeles’ Trio Azura.
Choreographically, Reflections explored the interplay of human relationships with shifting combinations of dancers and repeating movement motifs. Lang’s score was sometimes sparse and halting, sometimes fast and frantic, as the dancers embraced in comfort and in passion, pushing each other away and pulling each other close.
At the matinee performance I attended, a dancer injury in the first piece required the remaining two pieces to be performed with modifications.
Hearts & Arrows premiered in 2014, the year after Reflections, as the response to Balanchine’s Diamonds. The visual concept by Liam Gillick – a monochromatic palette and gradual stripping back of the stage setting – was striking, and Masha Tsimring’s lighting design added further facets of dramatic shadow, evoking a diamond shining in the light. The choreography was fast-paced and exciting, with movement criss-crossing the stage and a more developed sense of momentum. The score of Hearts & Arrows draws from a selection of works by Philip Glass and was played live by a quartet of musicians from Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.
The triptych of Gems concluded with On the Other Side, the 2016 work aligned with Balanchine’s Emeralds. The dancers performed against a colourful backdrop designed by Mark Bradford, which resembled a large abstract painting. One dancer, especially, was costumed differently and seemed to embody the artwork, interacting with the other dancers accordingly. The choreography was energetic and balletic, repeating movement sequences in a flow of solos, duets, and small groups that shifted across and around the stage. The moments of stillness were especially impactful in this piece, most notably a series of freeze frames that resembled famous classical paintings.
As for the Reflections, lighting design by Masha Tsimring focused on different sections of the painting as the speed and intensity of the dancing shifted and changed. Set to a suite of piano etudes by Philip Glass, the dancers were again accompanied by pianist Yanfeng Tony Bai for On the Other Side.
As for Jewels, the focus of Gems is on aesthetics and emotion, rather than storytelling. The technical and lyrical skill of the dancers, as well as their cohesive synchronicity, was mesmerising throughout. Their adaptability to deliver a smooth, modified version of the performance due to an injury was commendable.
Choreographed over a number of years and performed together for the first time in Brisbane, the three works within Gems illuminate Millepied’s consistent choreographic style and represent a commitment to long-term creative collaborations.
Gems was performed at the QPAC Playhouse, South Bank, from 4 – 7 September 2025
For further information, visit the Brisbane Festival website
Backstreet Brisbane 
Leave a comment