Artist Statement
“Art holds a mirror to society.” As a dancer and choreographer, I keep this concept close to my heart while in the midst of the creation process. I believe that as a creator, my job is to bring to light social or interpersonal issues that are not easily discussed, so instead I communicate them through movement.
I aim to depict an accurate and comprehensive representation of the topics I create about. In order to accomplish this I pull from both my own experiences, and those of my dancers as well. I strive to infuse my works with a variety of perspectives in order to reach a wider demographic. By utilizing multiple perspectives, I challenge my own viewpoints and those of the audience, entering us into a unifying cycle of continuous growth and insight.
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My work is different from the work of others because I place a strong emphasis on the relationships between individuals, specifically the physical and tactile relationships that occur between the dancers on stage.
Social dances are based on the social norms created by people, and therefore act as a gauge in how we interpret the conditions and environments that we come in contact with. Because social dancing mainly focuses on contact between men and women through the limbs, at a superficial “skin” layer, society has come to interpret this as a sensual sensation, and therefore has sexualized touch.
In my art, touch occurs between partners of the same, and different genders. The contact transcends the superficial layer, to that of “bone and muscle.” The movement is not isolated to the limbs, but incorporates full body contact. The tactile relationships between the dancers display a deeper connection than that of a sexualized gesture. This connection and understanding between dancers is like a language. It is a means of communication and understanding between bodies through movement, rather than verbalized words.
In a society where touch is such a taboo sense, I aim to push the boundaries and comfort of my viewers. If I can display these physical relationships in an accessible way, perhaps society will begin to find comfort in touch once again.