Inspired by monumental Taiwan-made sculptures that currently dot the Midtown Manhattan landscape, dancer PeiJu Chien-Pott (簡珮如) held three morning impromptu dances next to the vast steelworks from May 23 through 25, garnering praise for the sumptuous dialogue between dance and art.
Chien-Pott, a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company who performed at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade, was immediately drawn to the sculptures by Taiwan artisan Kang Muxiang (康木祥) upon her first visit on May 23.
Her unpremeditated performance, titled "Conversation with 'Rebirth'" to echo the name of Kang's seven-piece showcase in Midtown Manhattan, was a showstopper that drew the attention of street photographers as well as President Barbara Blair and Vice President Gerald Scupp of Garment District Alliance, co-organizers of the exhibition.
"I hope that the movement of the 'Conversation' not only serve the purpose of satisfying my artistic craving, but also can help bring another prospective to the work and attract, inspire more people to bring their own conversation to it," Chien-Pott stated.
The 34-year-old dancer returned on the next day with earphones, dancing to music that only she could hear next to Kang's environmentally charged "The Worried Whale," and brought with her fellow Martha Graham dancers Abdiel Jacobsen and Ari Mayzick on third day.
The group collaboration with Kang's sculpture "Twin Life" has inspired Chien-Pott to experiment further by extending the impromptu sessions well into next week and inviting artists from different disciplines to join the conversation.
Chien-Pott will return to Garment District Plazas on a daily basis at 10.30am from May 29 through June 1. Follow @peijuchienpott and share your photos with us by using the hashtag #ConversationWithRebirth on Twitter.
The grand finale on June 5 will take place from 7 to 8pm, featuring Chien-Pott with two Martha Graham dancers – Abdiel Jacobson and Ari Mayzik – as well as singer Mario Spinetti, Taiwan cellist Chen Nan-cheng, and dancer Tamisha Guy.
Conversation With ‘Rebirth’
Time: 10.30am
Date: May 23 – June 1, 2018
Venue: Garment District Plazas
Exhibition: Rebirth by Kang Muxiang
Facebook: tpecc.org