Sydney:
The Sydney Opera House has been a grand witness to some spectacular dance partnerships in its 37 years of existence. But French dancer Philippe Priasso's turn with his unusual dancing partner, one that weighs about 250 times more than him, was one of the more eye-catching ones.
For Priasso dances with an earth mover.
Gliding, hanging and twirling in front of Australia's landmark building, Priasso puts on a dramatic show and says his bizarre routine was inspired by the interaction between man and machine.
"Our intention first was just to have this relation, this relation between the flesh of the dancer and the hard iron of the machine...," Priasso says.
There are no nets involved, which would be a safety nightmare for most. But the dancer appeared fearless and backed by a soundtrack of opera legend Maria Callas, he performed a series of free concerts outside the Opera House.
"When you begin something, its art, you see, so you don't think about the risk," said Priasso.
William Defresne, who operates the giant digger, says there is plenty of potential for bumps and bruises, but they are usually avoided. "Sometimes there is a little accident, but we try not (to)."
The high-flying, hydraulic waltz seems to transport dancer, machine and audience into another hemisphere.