Critical Correspondence
Neil Greenberg in Conversation with Biba Bell
As Neil Greenberg prepares to premiere his latest work, This, at New York Live Arts the first weekend of December, he discusses his motivating questions as well as the shifts in his choreographic concerns during the four years since his last piece, (like a vase). Citing Susan Sontag’s “Against Interpretation” as an enduring theoretical […]
Jeanine Durning in Conversation with Lightsey Darst
Last December I went to Minneapolis’s Soo Gallery to watch New York-based choreographer Jeanine Durning’s inging. I didn’t know what to expect. The past weekend I’d seen Durning perform in two of Deborah Hay’s brainy, unpredictable, ultra-detailed dance works, and my circuits were accordingly rewired. From her performance of Hay’s dances I knew Durning was […]
Miguel Gutierrez in conversation with Marissa Perel
Miguel Gutierrez talked with Marissa Perel about his life transitions, the healing work of Feldenkrais, and his artistic process in the making of “And lose the name of action.” The piece had its New York premier Dec. 4-8 2012 at BAM’s Next Wave Festival and recently toured the MCA stage in Chicago. Gutierrez reflects, “I had been researching the brain, watching boring DVDs, reading books and so much of that research was dry. I suspected that the piece would have a dryness to it, or a kind of rationalism to it, like a powerpoint piece, or the lecture-demonstration-performance, where there’s an overheard projector, everyone’s wearing regular clothes, the house lights are on, and that’s it. What I did not expect to make was a big ole’ mutha-fuckin’ spectacle.”
Part 3: Daria Faïn and Robert Kocik in conversation with Marissa Perel
Choreographer Daria Faïn and poet Robert Kocik spoke with CC Co-Editor Marissa Perel about their opera/Greek tragedy/choral poem “E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E,” scheduled to open October 31, 2012 at New Yok Live Arts. Due to Hurricane Sandy, the production was canceled, but is now rescheduled for February 8-March 2 2013. In an e-mail, Robert explains why the hurricane is part of the process, describes his intended installation, “LOBBYING (acts of re-English),” and shares archival research.
Maida Withers in conversation with Lydia Mokdessi
Washington, D.C. choreographer, director, and George Washington University professor Maida Withers talks with CC’s Lydia Mokdessi about her newest dance theatre work, the nature of Washington audiences, her freewheeling Utah upbringing, and her 55-year teaching career in higher education. Collision Course – a.k.a. Pillow Talk debuted on December 7, 2012.
Part 2: Daria Faïn and Robert Kocik in conversation with Marissa Perel
Choreographer Daria Faïn and poet Robert Kocik spoke with CC Co-Editor Marissa Perel about their opera/Greek tragedy/choral poem “E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E,” scheduled to open October 31, 2012 at New Yok Live Arts. Due to Hurricane Sandy, the production was cancelled, however in a series of posts exclusive to CC, Faïn and Kocik relate their process. In Part 2, the artists discuss working with a libretto, historical research, Chinese energetics, money as a shared resource, and levels of engagement with the work.
Part 1: Daria Faïn and Robert Kocik in Conversation with Marissa Perel
Choreographer Daria Faïn and poet Robert Kocik spoke with CC Co-Editor Marissa Perel about their opera/Greek tragedy/choral poem “E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E,” scheduled to open October 31, 2012 at New Yok Live Arts. Due to Hurricane Sandy, the production was cancelled, however in a series of posts exclusive to CC, Faïn and Kocik relate their process. For Part 1, the artists discuss the formation of the Commons Choir, phonemes, prosody, and freeing language from systemic and institutional oppression.
