Women’s work

Performance in response to Northern Virginia Fine Art Association’s Women’s Work
Jane Franklin Dance returns to the Athenaeum with works that respond to the current exhibit Women’s Work in coordination with the exhibition by visual artists Kirsty Little, Donna McCullough, Kathryn McDonnell. Female identity and experience is explored through inspiring new dance works by women choreographers,
SAND (SALT), by Sarah Ewing, is a dance about the last few steps before a story begins. When your feet can touch the sand but your body is still surrounded by the waves of the ocean. You have almost arrived but not quite yet – it’s that last burst of energy before you can start. Original music is “Burning Bridges” by Kangding Ray
Jane Franklin’s Recipe brings together adult/child pairs in an intergenerational exploration of the ties that arise through the process of “making together.” Three pairs of performers share fragments of movement that mirror the ingredients and the instructions when creating a favorite food treat.
Robert J. Priore’s Untitled frames a partnership within a larger group dynamic. Music is by Sofian Parmart “Madagascar”, “Why Hurt the One Who Loves You” by Roy Orbison, and “Gysgewys” by Amsterdam Klezmer Band
Forty+ Project is a community of performers past the age of 40. The group explores movement and creativity within a cooperative structure. Cloudy with a Chance of Sun, by Andie deVaulx explores the regenerative time of winter and the joy of spring.
The next part of the program links works by three female choreographers in coordination with the exhibiting visual artists:
Dressed Up by Kelsey Rohr flirts with aggression, sensuality, and passion. It is inspired by the work of Donna McCullough and danced to “Turkish Lady Face” by The Underscore Orkestra.
Michala Conroy’s trio is inspired by artist Kirsty Little’s art which centers on weaving using stubborn materials such as wire and wood. Quick, rigid movement performed to “Prelude & Fugue in C Minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach suddenly weaves with a soft ease to “Willow Weep for Me” by Stanley Turrentine & The Three Sounds.
Reminder – Jane Franklin’s new work explores themes of empowerment, the valuation of everyday tasks and feminine roles within traditional patriarchy. “Transparent” is inspired by Kathryn McDonnell’s mobile and suspended works. Dance builds and fragments never quite complete in the image. “Wire” deals with manipulation and rigidity as three male/female couples in turn dominate and reject. Donna McCullough’s voice is layered gently within the sound score of “Steel.” McCullough’s visual art process involves the shaping of metal that in the end, appears soft and light. “Walking,” references repetitive daily tasks and is inspired by Kirsty Little’s work. Simple motifs weave a large group of dancers through one another and into a community.