May 8-10, 2008 at the Southern Theatre
Thurs.-Sat. at 8pm; Sat. matinee at 5pm
“…ARENA Dances vividly reminds us what a versatile, intelligent and profoundly talented choreographer thrives in our midst.” — Camile LeFevre, Star Tribune
At the core of waterBRIDGE is the concept of human journey, from not knowing and discovery, to the desire to get past an obstacle and finally arrive at understanding, pushing beyond what one believed or perceived to be possible at the outset. The dancers are dropped from their known world to a place where they encounter something unknown. An area of water presents a physical barrier and demands answers to questions which are explored choreographically.
The stage design for waterBRIDGE is physically broken by a rectangular pool of water 12 feet long by 3 feet wide and three inches deep. In the midst of this is an ice sculpture, monolithic in form (about 3 feet squared and 3 inches thick), which melts throughout the performance, dripping down into the pool. The water pool represents “liminal space” — a point separating the two surrounding areas but which is in neither realm. Like a doorway, liminal space both connects and separates two areas. This setting represents and is designed to evoke the relationship between two worlds: one and the other side of the pool, the known and the unknown, artists and audiences.
waterBRIDGE explores these ideas, illuminating the journey of discovery to arrive at a place of understanding and serenity. The water pool exists as a path and a blockade; the rational mind describes and clarifies limitations while the human spirit insists that no barrier is insurmountable. In the end no bridge need be built to cross the water in waterBRIDGE, for the way across can be found within each of us.
One of the Twin Cities’ most compelling choreographers, Mathew Janczewski combines provocative modern dance with inventive partnering in a fascinating remount of waterBRIDGE. First premiering at the Southern Theater in 2002, waterBRIDGE portrays the struggle of the human spirit as Janczweski and his dancers are released into an unknown and dreamlike world inspired by Gustav Klimt’s painting of water sprites.
View a video sample of ARENA Dances performing “waterBRIDGE” at the Southern Theater.
Tickets: $18, pay-as-able Saturday matinee.