gestating

Video from Performance in April, 2011 below

Video by Kaz Safer Phillips shot at Dixon Place below

Notes on the title: Miraculous Arms, an A.R.T. by the Spinnerettes
-A.R.T. is a common acronym for assisted reproductive technologies
-Spiders pull their silk from organs called spinnerets
-ettes; “girl groups” of the fifties and sixties, often added the french feminine plural ending to their name.  Controls for a woman’s reproduction, and also A.R.T. were invented during this time, so we make a reference with the name and also with our hairstyles/attire.

The connections of these things — A.R.T. and spiders  — are not explained didactically in the dance,  but arose naturally in the process and make our research interesting; both on the web and in the studio.

Trio, approximately thirty minutes

Dancers
Rachel Lehrer, Philippa Kaye, Maggie Thom

2011: Lia Bonfilio, Briana Brown, Megan Schenk, with Hilary Brown

Music
Music compiled and mixed by Philippa Kaye; includes “World Rhythms” by Annea Lockwood, “Something Brewing” by Amy Denio,  “Ancient Covenant” by Le Sorciére Noire, “Stinging Belly Dance Mood” and “Two Bendir’s” by Baba Zula,  “Plinko” by Bora Yoon, “Ethel Dreams of Temporal Disturbances” by Pamela Z, excerpts of “River Beneath the River and “Into the Brightening Air” by Lois V Vierk, excerpts of “Bruckstuck” and “Ariel’s Song” by Mary Jane Leach

Costume
designed by Ihlapi Yekpap, construction by Candice Thompson

Set
Julien Gardair with Philippa Kaye

Props
Philippa Kaye

Premiere
Center for Performance Research, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, April 7 2011

W-I-P presented by Dixon Place November 2009