Statement
I am discovering that the primary emphasis of my dance/movement career over the past 10-15 years has been grounded in the ability/disability to interface and build connections with others. I have zeroed in on systems and sometimes entities that connect/disconnect and even mislead to create disconnections through confusion -- be it political, philosophical or interpersonal in nature. Many man-made systems that are meant to connect have ultimately confused, obfuscated and blown-up rather than the well-intended connection as purported. This translates ironically into a perception of isolation from others, and isolation within the individual. Among the systems, technology has often been the object of disdain and taken the brunt of the critical humor in my work.
Performance is most often dance inspired performance with stripped-down theatricality. Physical tension, miscommunication and misunderstanding are the primary thematic vehicles for communication. Themes of cultural violence is related through aggressive action, gesture and interaction with a central front-loaded-meaning drenched object(s) and sometimes sound. My inspiration has been culturally derived experiences reflecting the influences and the ironies of living in a complex consumer society. Buried under it all is a low hum of humor; bleak, bare and empathetic. But it is now meandering/careening towards reflecting the environmental woes of those steeped i the cultures that make-up mankind.
I work in dance because of its ability to be a substantial connector. This includes dancers, somatic practitioners, and other living beings; wordless movement that bridges gaps, brings clarity and a sense of completion as verbal language is removed. A somatic practice can further detangal snags and confusions and the dependency on a verbal language system. This is also true for the movement education modalities I have chosen to invest my time in. Open Source Forms and Body-Mind Centering have opened deep channels into inter-body communication; wordless pathways that become a bridge not only in human to human interaction, but also perhaps connections in shared consciousnesses, human or other-wise.
RESUME/CV
REvEIws
Momentum New Dance Works, week 2
by Caroline Palmer
Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 19, 2013
Performances/Exhibitions/Commissions
2018
“Striving to Surpass”, 3-Play, Fresh Oysters, Minneapolis, MN, Creator and performer (with Audrey).
2017
“Maxi Fly Foolishness”, 9x22 Dance Lab, Bryant Lake Bowl, Minneapolis, MN. Creator and Performer
2014
“Pardon me, do you speak Dog”
A Series in 3 parts
Created by Jennifer Arave, Presented by Skewed Visions, Mpls, MN
“Dog Minutes”
Performers: Audrey, Jennifer Arave
An installation with an American Pit Bull Terrier (Audrey) and her owner (Jennifer) offers the opportunity to get to know the dog's "personality". This is accomplished through observing for an extended time her interaction with the owner and understanding her history via video and surrounding ephemera.
“Moon-walking the Dog”
Performers: Audrey, Jennifer Arave
Moon-walking the Dog looks at the transference of information, reading language and our need to connect with another; re-utterances until we are heard, understood and understand. Performers Jennifer Arave and Audrey.
“Pack Mentality”
Performers: Krisitn Van Loon, Jennifer Arave and Audrey
Pack mentality is a work exploring making a group performance centered around a dog and her pack of humans.
“Dances dressed in Foam”, Minneapolis’ City Center, Hennepin Trust, Minneapolis, MN, Dance Performance, co-choreographer and performer with Laurie Van Wieren,
2013
“Hijack at 20: ‘redundant, ready, reading, radish, Red Eye”’ Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN, Dance Performance, Performer and choreographic contributor. Created by Hijack.
“HYPE-er”, Bryant Lake Bowl Cabaret Theater, SOCO Festival, Dance Performance, Creator, choreographer and Performer.
“Canon”, Southern Theater, Walker Art Center, Momentum: New Dance Works 2013, Commission, Minneapolis, MN, Creator and Choreographer.
“Death Drop Workshop”, 28th and Blaisdell, Outlet Performance Festival, Minneapolis, MN, Performer, Created by Hijack
2012
“In The Crease - remix”, Bryant Lake Bowl Cabaret Theater, Minneapolis, MN. Dance Performance, Creator, choreographer and Performer
2011
“Untitled”, Created by Hijack, Wee Cabaret, Form and Content Gallery, Minneapolis, MN. Dance performance, Performer and choreographic contributor
“In The Crease”, Bryant Lake Bowl Cabaret Theater, Minneapolis, MN. Dance Performance, Creator, choreographer and Performer
2010
“HERO”, Artery, Soap Factory, Minneapolis, MN Dance Performance, Creator, choreographer and Performer
“Expect the Unexpected”, Autotelic, Colonial Building, Minneapolis, MN, Dance Performance Installation, Creator and Performer
“1/2 Life”, PS 122, Created by BodyCartography, New York, NY, Dance, Performer
“1/2 Life”, Created by BodyCartography, Southern Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, Dance, Performer
Dan Graham: Beyond with the BodyCartography Project, “Performer/
"Audience/Mirror”, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN, Re-Performance, Performer
Choreographed Community Situations
2008-13
Director and Founder of ArtShare: creating community, identity-based, collaborative art experiences in Northeast Minneapolis, MN.
2012
January: “Northeast Life Size Book Project”, ArtShare, Northeast, Minneapolis, MN
2009. 2010, & 2011
July: “Parade Project”, The Northeast Parade, ArtShare, Northeast, Minneapolis, MN
2008-2011
“Audio-Guided Walking Tours”, ArtShare, Northeast, Minneapolis, Mn
“The Rivalry Project”, Mercy Seat, ArtShare, Northeast, Minneapolis, MN.
2006
“The Giving Project”, Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, Collaborative Action with artist with disabilities
Honors and grants
2013
Sage Nomination for Outstanding Performance, Minneapolis, MN
Walker Art Center Momentum: New Works, commission, Minneapolis, MN
2012
ArtShare--Hennepin County Legacy Funds for “Northeast Life Size Book Project”, Minneapolis, MN
2010
Artery, Soap Factory, Minneapolis, MN, Selected Artist
2009
ArtShare,--Community Spirit Award, Northeast Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis, MN
2008
ArtShare--The Neighborhood Partnership Initiative (CURA) for “Audio-Guided Walking Tours”
ArtShare--Contribution from Northeast Community Lutheran Church for “Audio Guided-Walking Tour”
Residencies
2008
Kulture Klub Collaborative, - Collaborative sound installation using sound space as a place for shared community with homeless youth for KKC’s thirteenth anniversary celebration, Minneapolis, MN
2011-14
Steve Paxton and Lisa Nelson Figure/Space Residency, Earth Dance, Plainfield, MA
2010
Participant in Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography with Hijack, Tallahassee, FLA
Boards, Panels and Commissions
2018
Metropolitan Regional Arts Counsel (MRAC) grant review panel, Minneapolis, MN
2012 - 2016
Minneapolis Arts Commission, Minneapolis, MN
2011 - present
Public Arts Advisory Panel, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
2011-12
VSA Grant Panel
2010-11
Holland Neighborhood Board of Directors
Teaching and Mentoring
2017
Co-Founder of Water Bar and Public Studio
Movement Teacher at Water Bar and Public Studio
2014- Equivolent Certification — Lisa Nelson Tuning (improvisational) Scores
2018- Certified in Open Source Forms/Skinner Technique
2010 and 2011
Final Cut Pro, Bethel Collage, Guest Teacher, Arden Hills, MN
2007
Families Opening Doors/Northside Arts Collective, Minneapolis, MN, working with social service teams and families
2003-06
Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Minneapolis, MN, Arts Instructor
Education
2003
MFA Interdisciplinary Arts, Performance Theory, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT
1990
BFA Theater Directing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Cum Laude
Additional Training: Classes and Workshops
2018
Open Source Forms Certification
2016-2017
Stephanie Skura, Open Source Forms Teacher Certification Training, Seattle, WA
2011-12
Figure Space Workshop, Paxton/Nelson, EarthDance, Plainfield, Mass.
2010
Ishmael Houston Jones, Dance Workshop, Minneapolis, MN
2009
Keith Hennessy, Dance workshop, Minneapolis, MN
2008-present
Contact Improvisation, Zenon School of Dance, Minneapolis, MN
2009-present
Mahler-Klein Technique, Zenon School of Dance, Minneapolis, MN
2008
Pat Graney, Keeping the Faith, Shakopee Women’s Prison, Shakopee, MN
Dana Reitz 2008: Lighting and Dance workshop, Minneapolis, MN
David Gorden, Dance Performance workshop, Minneapolis, MN
Anne Carlson, Performance workshop, Minneapolis, MN
Modern Dance, Zenon School of Dance, Minneapolis, MN
2007
Improbable Theater, Animo- Puppetry workshop, Minneapolis, MN