Choreographic Residency: Week 11

It's about 1 week away from the showcase.  I'm incredibly excited about finally being immersed in the space, activating it with my dancers and musician, and exploring how the conceptual images in my mind are finally embodied at the shore.  I am introducing a new prop into the work: rope.  I've been treating the rope as a tether -- something that keeps leashed to a life-line... I also have been thinking about how the rope can serve as a barrier, restraining someone, and contrastingly serve as an object to help or assist.  

  

Below are a few images of the dancers rehearsing on the shore with the props.  During this beautiful day, there were dolphins swimming not too far out from the shore.  What a blessing to have rehearsal amidst dolphins.

Out of Bounds is a performance that travels from the shore to the beach house.  The space between, the sand, in the middle of the day with few people out, feels barren and desolate. We spent an hour last week just meditating and discovering the space.  Here is a photo of Isaac Huerta exploring proximity and isolation between the shore and the Beach House.

I also got the opportunity to see Alejandro G. Iñarritu's VR exhibit at LACMA called Carne y Arena.  The installation simulates crossing the Mexican - American border.  The exhibit posits the viewer in lifelike, uncomfortable situations, like an extremely cold locker room and being barefoot on coarse sand.  It was my first time experiencing virtual reality; I constantly had to remind myself where I was.  I am truly inspired by the work of Iñarritu.  It's sold out, but I think they'll open up tickets again starting in November.  Hope you can check it out.