(L to R) Jessica Jacob, Jess Chang, Rose Abramoff, Hannah Hildreth, Mark Kranz, and Melenie Diarbekirian in “Seirēn” for “Mythos: Pathos”. Choreography by Merli V. Guerra. Photo by Ryan Carollo.
Amyko Ishizaki in "Upon" - Steph Hodge Photography
I never know what to expect when Luminarium Dance Company presents new work, . With every Luminarium piece I see, there is always something different and exciting evolving on the stage. Co-artistic directors Merli V. Guerra and Kimberleigh A. Holman are unafraid to take bold risks and explore multiple mediums – film, sound, design – through dance. The result, as seen in Luminarium’s recent showcase, is once again something marvelous.
Y.E.S. showcased the growth that Luminarium Dance has experienced throughout this formative year. The company has grown in size as have the audiences but the work remains just artistically challenging and impressive. Thesix pieces featured in Y.E.S. ranged in style, concept, and scope. No matter how Guerra and Holman approached their work, both choreographers seemed to be addressing one concept: how a community is created through dance. Continue reading “Luminarium Dance Company Showcases Landmark First Season With Y.E.S.”
This is a new feature on the blog. (And hopefully one I keep up with.) In an attempt to keep busy, focused, and actual records of what I watch, I’m going to write blurbs about the movies I see every week. I would say that I am doing this to share with my many (hah) readers the vast number of films I watch but that’s a lie. I really just want to stop watching shows about the Kardashians and serial killers. I’m worried that this combination will have a detrimental impact on my psyche fairly soon.
"Experiment III (jazz on jazz)" - Photo by Christina Pong
with fractured light comes self and shadow
“Fracture,” the debut performance of the Cambridge-based Luminarium Dance Company on Friday, October 8, brought six distinct pieces which incorporated dance and film projections to the stage.
The styles, approach to the medium, and the influences of co-artistic directors and choreographers Merli V. Guerra and Kimberleigh A. Holman could not be more distinct. Through each choreographer’s three pieces for “Fracture,” Guerra and Holman left a definitive mark on the notions of human experience, self, and shadow. Guerra’s work, which integrates dance and video projection, is often reminiscent of lyrical experimental cinema as she explores ideas of memory and existence. Holman’s work, however, is unquestionably influenced by jazz – one piece was set to a Miles Davis composition – and is noticeably more dependent on light and shadows. Individually, their work would seem disconnected and unrelated. But in succession, the six pieces expressed a semblance of the human experience, stemming from this theme of “Fracture”.