November 13, 2006
String Beings
Manipulating and Manipulated
String Beings is the result of an exciting collaboration between Snappy Dance Theater, Jonathan Bachrach, Lucia Lin and Berlin composer Michael Rodach exploring the subject of manipulation through the interaction of multiple media. “String Beings” explores the relationship between manipulating and being manipulated, using a variety of metaphors ranging from the literal (individuals playing string instruments, individuals being pulled by strings) to the complex (dancers manipulating musicians, dancers manipulating images created through their interaction with technology, technology manipulating the audience by transforming reality into a “new” and projected reality). Snappy's physical style and artistic approach of using irony as an essential tool of expression even for complex or sometimes serious topics blends well with Jonathan Bachrach's ability to turn a profoundly human dance expression into a paralles univers of doubt, deception and surprise.
“String Beings” will be a compilation of several sections that alternate interactions between musicians and dancers, dancers and technology, and all three elements. The musicians will be part of the choreography to such an extent that at one point, Lucia Lin will be integrated into the acrobatic movement while playing the violin. Berlin composer Michael Rodach created the 60-minute sound score for The Temperamental Wobble in 2004 and will compose “String Beings” to be a mix of electronic music with live strings.
At the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center :: November 17th & 18th at 8:00 pm :: 41 Second Street, Cambridge, MA :: Tickets.
Approximate Length: 40 minutes (one half program)
6 dancers, 3 musicians (2 recruited locally), 1 computer artist
Choreography: Martha Mason/Snappy Dance Theater
New Media Artist: Jonathan Bachrach
Violin: Lucia Lin
Set Design: Chris Fitch
Lighting Design: Joseph Levendusky
Music: Michael Rodach
Founded in 1997, Snappy Dance Theater is led by Co-Founder and Artistic Director Martha Mason. "Snappy" has grown to become the most active contemporary dance company in Massachusetts, and has the 12th largest audience of all performing arts organization in the Boston area. Snappy has been presented in 18 U.S. states and 4 international countries; has received critical acclaim in major publications (The New York Times and Dance Magazine); and has received major commissions including Bank of America CelebritySeries commission of The Temperamental Wobble in 2004,
presented at the Cutler Majestic Theater. Snappy's mission is inspire audiences and to make dance and theater more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Jonathan Bachrach, Ph.D. is an artist and research scientist at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab. He researches robotics, sensor networks, programming languages, and new art making platforms. Bachrach's artwork has been shown at the MIT Media Lab, Dance Theatre Workshop (NY), Eyebeam Gallery (NY), at several Boston galleries, and at Festival du Nouvelle Cinema in Montreal. In collaboration with Dan Paluska and Brian Knep, Bachrach leads the Collision Collective and curates exhibitions of art technology with MIT and Boston-based artists.
Lucia Lin has been a prizewinner of numerous competitions, including the 1990 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. She has performed in solo recitals throughout the U.S., making her New York debut at Weill Recital Hall in 1991, and has appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Oklahoma Symphony, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and Festivalorchester in Graz, Austria. Lin is a member of the Muir String Quartet, and a founding member of the Boston Trio and the chamber group, Innuendo.
Posted by jo at November 13, 2006 02:03 PM
