Starring in music videos at the age of 100, Eileen Kramer is probably the oldest working dancer and choreographer in Australia, if not the world -- and the centenarian revels in her age.
"I don't mind. I'm 100!," she laughs from the Sydney rehearsal of a music video in which she is performing. "I'm liberated. I don't have to be 35 all the time."
Conversation with Kramer moves swiftly -- from how she used to eavesdrop on philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre in a Paris cafe, to modelling for famous artists, to Louis Armstrong teaching her to do the twist.
She puts her life's unusual trajectory down to seeing, at the age of 24, a performance by Sydney's Bodenwieser Ballet, run by Viennese immigrant Madame Gertrud Bodenwieser, who had fled to Australia via Colombia after escaping the Nazis.
Kramer tried out for the troupe and was accepted to classes. She recalls that after her first session she felt "free" -- and within three years was a member of the company.
Although named the Bodenwieser Ballet, it is credited with being Australia's first truly influential modern dance company, and despite her lack of classical training, Kramer found she had talent.
"It wasn't wild, untrammelled movement; there was a definite technique to do. It just suited me."
Kramer credits the languid movements learned at Bodenwieser and her own love of expressive gestures with enabling her to continue her dancing career for so long.
Other contemporaries have suffered more physical problems, she said.
"The other members of the Bodenwieser Ballet mostly have something wrong with their bones. I haven't got anything wrong because I didn't do all that... hitting the ground when you come down. So I think that's why I haven't got false hips or knees."
Kramer says she still works on her ballet exercises, admittedly from the comfort of her bed most mornings.
"But I do get up and do plies and things. Some of the foot exercises in classical ballet are very, very good for strengthening your feet. And I need it now because I can only see with one eye so my balance is affected."
With her bright lipstick and a near-fluorescent orange dress she made herself, Kramer recounts touring Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India with the Bodenwieser troupe before setting up on her own.
"I was always interested in India and when we toured there I got a taste for India, I suppose," she says, explaining how she took up residence in the country's top hotels as their dancer or artist.
"In Pakistan, somebody told me I could paint. Next thing I found myself in a pavilion... painting scenes of Paris. That wouldn't happen now. But I was on the spot and I did it. I had two assistants. So I set to work and did it."
In Europe she earned money as an artist's model, something she had done in Sydney for Australian painter Norman Lindsay, often for France's noted cubist Andre Lhote and his school.
"He came into the classroom the first day and said, 'Ah, a genius, a beautiful model'. And when he showed me the painting, it was all cubes," she laughed.
She recalls an occasion in France's Dieppe when she was waiting to travel to America as her partner Baruch Shadmi played roulette in the casino.
"So I went into the ballroom to amuse myself and Louis Armstrong and his group were there," she said.
"And I was the only person in the ballroom and I was trying to do the twist. I didn't get it. So he showed me."
'I began to think of kookaburras'
Kramer moved to New York with filmmaker Shadmi, but gave up dancing when he had a stroke, caring for him for 18 years until his death.
Afterwards, she returned to performing, but at the age of 99, after the death of another partner, decided to come home to Australia.
"I began to think of kookaburras. The smell of gum trees," she said.
"It's natural to come back to your own country.
Although previously little known in her native land, her return has sparked a new chapter in her career, with the dancer collaborating on three music videos.
"It's her commitment to creativity. It's so inspiring to see," explains singer Sarah Belkner, 31, on why she chose Kramer to dance in her new music video.
To mark turning 100, in March she performed The Early Ones, a dance piece she crowdfunded and choreographed herself, with Australians donating more than Aus$26,000 (US$) to help her fulfil her dream.
The dancer herself cannot conceive of being anything other than an artist. "I couldn't do anything else," she said.
"I don't feel like my life has been difficult. I paint. I write. So if I couldn't dance, I would be standing before an easel painting."
She stays in touch with modern life using a mobile phone and has used Facebook, and asked about the secret to her longevity, she jokes: "I don't smoke, I don't drink and I don't chase women.
"People do say, 'Oh I wish I could do what you've done'. And I just say, 'Well, do it'.
AFP
Mon May 11 2015
Conversation with Kramer moves swiftly -- from how she used to eavesdrop on philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre in a Paris cafe, to modelling for famous artists, to Louis Armstrong teaching her to do the twist. - AFP Photo
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.