The Launch: One Good Quote, with The Anata Project

Dancer: Yuko Monden. Photographer: Claudia Hubiak.

From Blog Director Jill Randall:

Today through Life as a Modern Dancer, we are excited to launch a new concept for post-performance discussion and writing. The goals are simple and multi-fold:

What are new ways to invite post-performance writing (since so few publications now print dance reviews, and there are fewer and fewer dance critics in the United States)?
How can choreographers hear and read more from audience members about their impressions and experiences of dance events?
Can we offer new mechanisms for choreographers to gather language about their work, to further their work and to promote their work?

Claudia Hubiak of The Anata Project has generously offered to be the first artist to try out the idea this week.

The premise is simple. If you attended a performance of Point of Dissolve at the ODC Theater on October 19, 20, or 21st, please take a few minutes here to leave a comment. Write down images, impressions, appreciations, and questions from the performance. These can be words, phrases, or a few sentences. Then please sign it with your name and a descriptor, such as:

Jill Randall, Artistic Director of Shawl-Anderson Dance Center

Chris Randall, dance enthusiast

Reed Randall, first-time audience member at an Anata Project performance

We thank you for your time, support, and thoughtfulness. Here's to more dialogue, more reflection, and more writing on the dance performance experience.

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Dreaming/Preparing/Dancing: The Anata Project (October 2017 at ODC Theater)

12 responses to “The Launch: One Good Quote, with The Anata Project”

Jill Homan Randall

Oct 27, 2017 at 8:56 pm

I attended opening night, and it was a beautiful evening. Abstract choreography, but still very real and personal to me. Touched by the presence of each and every dancer. The commitment. The seeing, the embodying. Loved the music score and the lighting design – both of which helped me travel with you throughout the 45 minute piece. Thank you for the evening!
-Jill Randall, Artistic Director of Shawl-Anderson Dance Center

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Lauren Simpson

Oct 27, 2017 at 9:54 pm

I admit I didn’t see the performance, but I did see a rehearsal about three weeks prior to the premiere. Claudia is queen of partnering, especially trios, which I find so challenging to balance. Really talented and well matched cast. Loved the costuming. I’m drawn to well crafted non-linear dance works and this piece is a great example of it.
Lauren Simpson, Choreographer

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Tanya Chianese

Oct 29, 2017 at 11:04 am

I am continually blown away by The Anata Project. Hubiak’s partnering choreography pulls me in to the point that I cannot blink for fear of missing a moment. The performers’ camaraderie radiated, and their dancing was intense and full while simultaneously soft. Thank you for a magnificent evening!
Tanya Chianese, Choreographer

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Tessa Hubiak

Oct 29, 2017 at 2:51 pm

This was a beautiful piece of art. I was engaged and able to sink into the flow of the piece without effort. This company has clearly been working together for some time and it shows in the ease they have with each other and the movement.

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Kristin Damrow

Nov 1, 2017 at 1:14 pm

I really enjoyed how each section tumbled into the next. The lighting, music, and which dancer took focus lead me into another “room” of the work. Watching the movement travel through their bodies was mesmerizing and lended beautifully to the inspiration of the work. Thank you for presenting this lovely work!
-Kristin Damrow, Choreographer

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Jackie Goneconti

Nov 2, 2017 at 8:32 pm

Many, many thoughts streaked through my mind as I watched the Anata Project’s most recent production “Point of Dissolve,” as one might hope from good art! What impressed upon me most was the genuine nature of the interactions between the dancers while partnering, not to mention their technical prowess. My mind wandered – What if we had that same ease in understanding and communication on a daily basis…say in politics, for example! This calm, competency and trust folded into an adventurous spirit is what I go to dance to see. I hope audiences might get a chance to see the process behind what creates this end product. I loved how the lighting pulled the piece into a more abstract world. It helped filter my thoughts more.
– Jackie Goneconti, Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, Performing Arts Aficionado

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Katie Meyers

Nov 3, 2017 at 7:13 pm

I attended the show on opening night. From the moment it started, I was in. I loved the music, costumes, lights- it was a very inviting and intriguing atmosphere. I recall the evening in segments. It felt like there were clear chapters in the overall story. There was also a diverse mix of solo/duet/trio/group work, which helped me feel like I got true windows into each of the dancer’s as individuals and how they work with each other. I said it earlier, but I feel like this was the first show I’d seen in awhile that really took advantage of the lighting. It was an art within itself. It really did help build the mood and set the tone. A lot of the choreography and aesthetic reminded me of Eric Handman who works and choreographs in Salt Lake. I also thought the length of the show was ideal! I stayed focused throughout and I didn’t feel myself allowing the exhaustion from the day settle in, which seems to inevitably happen when a performance is very lengthy. When I try to think back on the details of the choreography I see 2 images. First, a dangle. Second, a fiercely low and powerful stance. More work that is either an hour or less with the same dancers throughout, I believe would attract a broader range of audience members. Keeping things digestible for non movers feels inclusive and important. Thank you to Claudia and The Anata Project for your work. Keep it up, please!
Katie Meyers, Bay Area Dance Artist & Teacher

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kt nelson

Nov 5, 2017 at 9:07 am

Claudia in collaboration with her dancers and scenic designer built a world thru formality and clusters of human exchange. At first the formality held the individuals then the individuals defined the world. Over all there was a trantusference from formal to personal- almost invisibly achieved. Two separate moments I loved.- the weird grey lavender light and the solo at the end that managed to both summarize what had come before and suggested an independent future. Pretty cool!

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Eric Garcia

Nov 8, 2017 at 9:43 am

The company understands how to present their ideas in a way that invites inquiry, welcomes spectacle, requires attention to nuanced detail, offers permission to revel in the moments of nothing, and provides opportunities to create layers and layers of meaning. The work itself was an insightful presentation of studies, complete with the a gorgeous combination of theatrical elements.

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Karla Quintero

Nov 9, 2017 at 11:12 pm

The performers in “Point of Dissolve” displayed an impressive degree of sensitivity to one another. Together they serenely rode on the crest of an endless wave, subtly defying gravity with their smooth descents and ascents into each other. I believed the ensemble’s commitment to the work. At times during their seamless performance, it was as if they were finishing each others sentences.

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Kate Mitchell

Nov 17, 2017 at 11:39 am

Point of Dissolve was a beautiful and incisive work.
But then, Claudia Anata Hubiak always choreographs strong works for excellent dancers. This particular piece, an evening-length work, moved from dynamic, highly charged moments to tender, questioning ones seamlessly. Assemblage and reassemblage of the dancers in unexpected groupings is one of the excitements of watching her work. I especially love how she stirs up movement almost to the point of chaos, only to reveal suddenly the clarity and definition of the choreographic line. Such a thrill to watch!
Kate Mitchell, choreographer, director, author

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Brittany Ceres, choreographer

Nov 29, 2017 at 9:41 pm

Claudia
The fluidity, consistency and collective responsiveness of the diverse ensemble kept our audience in rapt attention. The relationships (to each other and the space itself) were palpable, as each of the dancers bring a unique quality and focus.
The ensemble synthesized and articulated complex musical rhythms into a broad tapestry across the stage and in support of one another. Ben’s music was sensational.
The Anata project has a satisfying knack for juxtaposition. While most of the sequences swirl near the floor with a grounded thoroughness, the work was dynamically woven with surprise moments of loft.
Claudia’s work never disappoints. And the ending! Brilliant. It took me a minute to catch on, but once it clicked, I was completely satisfied. The dissolve was exactly appropriate and very well executed. Bravo!

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