They are not falling is inspired, in part, by some of the works of photographer and video artist Michal Rovner, specifically in them, the occurrence and erasure of gesture within large group movements. Drawing from images where populated spaces paradoxically suggest a shared isolation, the piece explores presence and absence, relationship in regards to space, and the expression of these relationships in gesture, posture and movement. Using three distinct configurations: a large group, a duet and a solo, shifting its focus and scale accordingly to seize simple gestures within the group as well as ornate dances in the solo. The three pieces come in and out of each other creating a seamless landscape. They are not falling maps out a two-way road from outer to inner, from many to few and then fewer, from gesture to dance and story. A video piece works alongside the dance to underscore the play on size and scale, and make manifest the fleeting nature of the body’s many attempts at relating to other bodies.
Choreographed by Alejandra Martorell with performers:
Astrud Angarita, Sigal Bergman, Jasmine Ben-Reuven, Keith Biesack, Mi Sun Choi, Dawn Eshelman, Kiyoko Kashiwagi, Lise Serrell, Johanna S. Meyer, Edgar Rodriguez
Music by Guy Yarden and Doug Henderson
Lighting Design by Erik Bruce
Video by Maya Ciarrocchi
Dramaturgy by Clarinda Mac Low
Alejandra Martorell’s first full-evening work, m.o (modus operandi) was presented last year at Performance Space 122. Her work also has been seen at Dixon Place, Movement Research at the Judson Church, BAAD!, Painted Bride in Philadelphia, Studio 303 in Montreal, and in Puerto Rico. Alejandra is one-third of Tryst (with Clarinda Mac Low and Paul Benney), a collaborative team that conjures free outdoor performance situations. She collaborates in Spanic Attack, a conglomeration of multidisciplinary Latin American artists. She has worked with Sally Silvers and was part of Jennifer Monson’s Bird Brain project. She has also performed recently in the works of Karen Sherman and Sigal Bergman among others.
Read a review in:
The NY Times
The Village Voice
Feb. 17 – 20, 2005
Post-show reception: February 17
Thursday – Saturday, 8 p.m.
Sun. at 5 p.m.