“Playful, experimental and genre-defying” are words that have come to define Melbourne contemporary dance company Chunky Move. When the company’s name appears on a festival program, you know things are about to get weird. At this year’s Rising festival, two Chunky Move dancers performed inside an expanding and contracting inflatable sculpture, for example. Next year, as part of Asia Topa, the company will premiere U>N>I>T>E>D – a piece with six dancers wearing upcycled, motocross-inspired exoskeleton outfits.

“The costumes are a bit spooky,” says Hamilton. “The exosuits both limit the natural movement range of the body and also enhance it. The dancers have a lot of fun working with these new prostheses.”

The two-time Helpmann Award-winning choreographer has previously drawn inspiration for dances from science fiction, retro toys, religion, mythology and technology’s relationship to the natural world. The new work brings many of those aspects together.

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“I’m often trying to illustrate in my works that there is something unchanging about our relationship to the material world around us,” he says. “The story of tools and art objects being in a kind of synthesised relationship with human beings, is a story that has been with us and will continue to be for a long time to come.”

U>N>I>T>E>D will have a Javanese trance-inspired techno soundtrack by group Gabber Modus Operandi, which Hamilton says will inform the dancers’ movement styles. “[They’ll dance in] response to the incredibly dynamic and intense musical score by our collaborators and also in response to the new physical experience produced by the exosuits. It is an exciting process to let creative invention be led by the new material conditions of a work’s creation.”

When Hamilton isn’t in the studio, or contemplating the existential, here’s where he likes to spend time in Melbourne.

Hey Antony! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live on Wurundjeri Country, Northcote with my three gorgeous kids and partner of 21 years. I’m a typical Northsider who frequents Merri Creek and Ceres nearly every Saturday, and is happy to pay too much for overpriced food and coffee for the privilege of eating out.

What do you love about Melbourne?
What’s not to love? For me, I love the graffiti, the live music and performance scene, the private and public gardens, the ease of getting around by bike and the fact that even though I’ve lived in Melbourne for 25 years, there are still amazing things to discover in every corner of the city, suburbs and surrounds.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or bar?
Joe’s Shoe Store in Northcote is a long-time favourite. It doesn’t hurt that you can order the trendy pizzas from stalwart Pizza Meine Liebe next door to go with your beer.

What about cafes?
It’s more of a Middle Eastern supermarket with an excellent kitchen to boot, but Thornbury’s very chill and easy Cedars Bakery is my go-to. I’m a fan of the chilli scramble or the lamb pizza, or both. And the fattoush is the salad for the win. Top coffee, too.

When you want to impress someone, where do you take them?
Probably Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. They are truly spectacular.

Where do you go to escape the city?
I don’t often feel the need to escape, but anywhere on the coast is where I’m most at peace. My top spot is Cape Paterson and the beach nearby at Shack Bay. Magical.

Who do you think makes Melbourne a better place?
Artists. My kin.

Is there an essential Melbourne film?
This is a tough one. There are so many, but it’s hard to go past George Miller’s original Mad Max. Scienceworks, the Westgate Bridge and Melbourne University Parkville campus car park all make their cinematic debuts in this cult classic.

U>N>I>T>E>D is coming to Sidney Myer Music Bowl from February 27 to March 2.

“My Melbourne” is a regular column about the places and spaces that entice Melbourne’s well-known residents.