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By Christine Jowers/Follow @cmmjowers on Instagram
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Published on November 28, 2011
Artists Prepare for Movement Researches 2011 Fall Festival -20 Years of Rigor,Devotion,Sustainability
In the Moment:
Improvisation with Luciana Achugar, Levi Gonzalez, David Watson
As They Prepare for Movement Research Evening Performance at St. Marks Church
Christine Jowers for The Dance Enthusiast
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| Luciana Achugar , Photo Julieta Cervantes |
Suddenly, the lyrical Achugar becomes a witch. Exactly how the transition occurs I am not sure, but it has something to do with speed and intensity.
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| David Watson, Photo courtesy of David Watson |
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| Levi Gonzalez, Photo Alex Escalante |
I don’t notice Levi Gonzalez at first.
This other dancer/improviser in the room is hanging out on the periphery, sprawled lankily on a group of stacked chairs. He watches. (Note: watching is active, not passive.)
His eyes remain with Achugar as the back of his body slides along the chairs. His butt hits the keys along an upright piano (surprisingly not too much sound here) and finally, he ends up semi- perched on the window ledge--ready to pounce.Anything can happen.
The air is charged with possibility.
It may seem a strange concept to “rehearse” for an improvisation but for these artists it is not.
Really, rehearsal is about getting used to playing together, getting familiar –not too familiar, no one wants to default into boring performing habits-- but familiar enough to respond and riff off each other.
If they can be supple and courageous with their exchanges, the resulting work, set to premiere on Friday December 2nd at St. Marks Church, will be a captivating evening length experience.
"Evening length equals 45 minutes," Achugar notes. That should be enough time for ticket holders to feel they have gotten a good show.
Watson says, "better a great 45 minutes then a dull hour."
Performances will take place Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each night of performance takes one of these qualities as the guiding force, and one night embraces all three together. For more information about classes/performances during the Festival, click here
Luciana Achugar,Levi Gonzalez,(movers), Emily Roysdon (visual artist), and David Watson (musician) will perform RIGOR on Friday, December 2nd at 8pm at Danspace Project at St. Marks Church for tickets, click here
