In times of uncertainty and upheaval, the journey to recovery and resilience can feel like learning to walk all over again. This sentiment resonates deeply with artistic explorations that seek to find new ways of expression and connection when traditional paths are disrupted. Reflecting on an unfinished virtual dance project, a choreographer highlights the messy yet transformative process of creation, emphasizing its inherent value beyond a polished final product. This exploration wasn’t about achieving perfection, but rather about navigating uncharted territory and discovering the potential for art to foster community care and personal healing. It became a vital step on the path of “learning to walk again,” not just individually, but collectively.
This initial foray into virtual dance served as a catalyst for a larger, ongoing project titled The Conversation Series: Stitching the Geopolitical Quilt to Re-Body Belonging. This multi-faceted venture, encompassing new choreographies, a documentary film, and a digital archive, delves into the complexities of our current times and seeks to weave together a sense of belonging through movement and dialogue. At its heart, the project convenes a diverse tapestry of voices, including artists, humanitarians, social justice advocates, DEI&SJ experts, and community members from across generations and backgrounds.
The core performance element features an interracial male duet, performed by A. Ryder Turner and the choreographer, emphasizing the profound significance of bodies coexisting in shared space. Their dance becomes a powerful metaphor for shared responsibility and the aspiration to contribute positively to future generations – “dancing to become better ancestors.” As the project journeys across the nation, sharing this work, it symbolically “stitches together a dance-quilt,” aiming to broaden understandings of American identity and foster a renewed sense of collective unity. Through this process of creation and connection, the choreographer expresses a growing sense of courage and reduced fear in navigating the path forward – feeling “less afraid to walk.”
The aspiration extends beyond the creators themselves, with a hope that collaborators involved in the creative process will experience a similar sense of liberation from the pressures of the contemporary world. Furthermore, it is envisioned that audiences engaging with the work will find a sense of shared belonging and be inspired to take action, in their own unique ways, towards building a more equitable and just world. The trailer for the screendance EntangleMEN: from the dugout, a precursor to the stage production of The Conversation Series, offers a glimpse into the initial content development for this ambitious project, hinting at the powerful dialogues and movements that are yet to unfold in this ongoing exploration of “learning to walk again” together, in harmony and community.
