June 21 – 23 throughout Atlantic City
Last year, 48 Blocks gave me this fantastic opportunity to do an art project. I had this idea that people could dance socially, in paint, to create a piece of art from other forms of art.
Dance is temporary. It lasts only during the now in which it exists. Somewhat like an installation, dance can only be experienced in the moment. Unless there is some medium capturing some of its elements through a visual art of sorts, the dance ends, time continues, and drifts into memory.
Moving, dancers connect to each other, to music, and to their space through the rhythmic language of the dance rules with weight changes and such. I wanted to see what would happen if dancers did the capturing through their connection to the ground surface with paint on their feet.
When people dance improv to music in time and space, there is an energy and presence that dissipates at the end of movement. So much happens during an improv social partner dance. There’s a conversation between people, in time and space involving connection, sound, rhythm, song, energy, subtleties, body language, touch, pattern, rules, instincts, creativity, communication, and gesture.
Last year, for 48 Blocks 2018, I applied to do this project during the weekend long art event in Atlantic City. It was such a success. I got to see the idea come to life in these rhythmic layers of dance painted footprints applied to large wooden panels.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BklLARNhnrF/
48 Blocks gave me the opportunity to do this project again. It’s going to be opened up to more audience participation and a little less structure, without the limits of partner dancing. We’ll be using some alternative materials like paper and canvas, too.
I’m also planning to bring and display the pieces from last year.
I hope you can make it to 48 Blocks. It’s a really cool event embracing the arts, community, and transformation in Atlantic City in 48 Blocks with 48 Projects in 48 Hours.
While you’re there, please come watch and if you like, participate in my art dance mashup project.
Art and Dance Mashup
1 pm Saturday, June 22, 2019
3 pm Sunday, June 23, 2019
For up to date locations, please visit https://www.48blocksac.com/event
Oh, and follow them @48BlocksAC.
And follow me and my messmaking at @jodeeclifford.
