Incredible works of visual art can be found all over the city of Chicago, from its world class museums to the murals that add rich texture to its culturally vibrant streets. Seeing and observing these visual wonders can give us a brief reprieve from the hectic pace of city life, but if we take more time to observe them–to see deeper into the artist’s vision–we may just discover something new within ourselves. For the last six seasons, the artists at Still Inspired have done just that; each year, the participating choreographers have spent countless hours in and out of the studio digesting a piece of visual art to inspire fresh movement and new dance works.
This year, Still Inspired celebrates its sixth season with its production of Influence, with new choreographic works inspired by Chicago-based visual artist Mary Porterfield. Her impressive resume includes gallery exhibitions in over a dozen US states and internationally in Korea. Porterfield’s work as an occupational therapist in combination with her experiences with her grandmother are deep sources of influence and inspiration, and a quick glance at her artwork (above) immediately conjures an emotional response. In a recent review by Damien James in New City Art, she was recognized for her “ability to elegantly render the loss of independence, a heartbreaking temporal and kinesthetic displacement, [which] is clearly the result of years of deep respect, observation and connection with those whom she is a caretaker.”
Still,Inspired Season 6 choreographers Laura Thurston, Lizzie MacKenzie, Lauren Blane and Annie Conway each chose a piece of Mary’s artwork to respond to, and their choreographic works are set to hit the stage at the Athenaeum Theater Chicago February 21 & 22, 2020. DancerMusic Editor Kristi Licera recently caught up with Still Inspired Artistic Director and Choreographer Laura Thurston to learn more about this year’s program. Here’s what she told us:
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{Mary Porterfield’s] layered works include numerous figures coming together to create colorful scenes depicting symbolic moments in nature as parallels to the deep, meaningful statements she portrays in her work. We are eager to present her work and share our perspective through movement creation.
Kristi Licera: Each year, Still Inspired selects a Chicago-based visual artist whose works serve as inspiration for the four participating choreographers. This year, Still Inspired is partnering with Mary Porterfield, whose hauntingly beautiful and detailed art is influenced by her work as an occupational therapist. Can you tell us more about what initially drew you towards Mary and her body of work? How did you come to the final decision to use her work as the inspiration for this year’s choreographers?
Laura Thurston: Choreographers of Still Inspired network with visual artists who have already presented their work in past seasons. The referral process has led us to some incredible, local Chicago visual artists who meld well to our collaborative process and the way we present visual and dance art together. Mary Porterfield came to us via referral from our 5th season featured artist, Elsa Munoz of Chicago, among some other incredible artists in her list.
The weight caretakers shoulder to protect someone from their illness tolls heavily on their emotional state.
Mary was our first choice for many reasons. Initially, Mary’s work stood out because it was different from past seasons’ visual artists that Still Inspired has collaborated with. Choreographers for this season were drawn to the versatility of her work, which includes both figure drawings and layered paintings. Her layered works include numerous figures coming together to create colorful scenes depicting symbolic moments in nature as parallels to the deep, meaningful statements she portrays in her work. We are eager to present her work and share our perspective through movement creation.
Mary’s ‘About’ web page is also incredibly inspiring:
“I juxtapose layered allegories in an attempt to ask and resolve: Does it take more courage to be selfless or self-seeking? If assistance is warranted but not wanted, should it be abandoned? Is it more heroic to accept the uncontrollable or attempt change in the midst of futility? Through the dichotomous nature of the work, my intention is to provide a balanced perspective between giving and receiving, especially when caring for others.” – Mary Porterfield
Each choreographer portrays this influence in their own interpretations of Mary’s works, where influential moments from past and present have inspired us all to create the works we will present for this 6th season.
Kristi: Among this year’s participating choreographers are yourself, Annie Conway, Lauren Blane and Lizzie Mackenzie. Although each choreographer is choosing artwork from a singular visual artist, their interpretations of the inspiration are as different as their personalities and movement aesthetics. Can you tell us why you chose to title this year’s performance Influence and give us some insight to the works that will be presented?
Laura Thurston: Still Inspired’s 6th season is titled Influence as it most accurately unifies the four choreographers and Mary’s creations. Much of Mary Porterfield’s work is influenced by her work as an Occupational Therapist, where helping and caring for others is an influential act. Each choreographer portrays this influence in their own interpretations of Mary’s works, where influential moments from past and present have inspired us all to create the works we will present for this 6th season.
Words from participating choreographers:
Annie Conway: Playing with themes of chance and risk, “Go: Dark:” explores the idea of stepping out of one’s comfort zone in order to effect meaningful change. While human beings are naturally wired to seek comfort and predictability, experiencing the discomfort of uncertainty may be required to achieve growth.
Lauren Blane: I had a strong response to Mary’s work entitled “In Choosing,” which depicts a young woman defending an older woman in a wheelchair from some vicious bird figures. Mary’s ‘About’ section mentions that she uses her grandmother as one of her models. Both my grandmothers were very prominent in my life and left some deep impressions on who I am and how I choose to live my life. If I was able to protect them from the dementia, the pain, or the suffering they endured, I would have. I can relate very personally to the young woman in this piece and chose to base my choreography around the want and desire to protect those who have influenced my life greatly.
Laura Thurston: “Guarded” is a piece inspired by Porterfield’s work “Balancing Act,” where you see a woman carrying a man over her shoulders, standing on two crocodiles. “Guarded” reflects moments in my life where I’ve witnessed the deterioration of a loved one. Between observing my own response and that of others, initial human response seemingly attempts to guard loved ones from illness. Ironically, guarding seems to go both ways. Between resistance and acceptance of others unconditional aid through love lies a confusing medium, where love seems to oppose the initial representation of fleeting happiness and joy. The weight caretakers shoulder to protect someone from their illness tolls heavily on their emotional state.
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Still Inspired presents Influence February 21 & 22, 2020, both evenings at 8PM, at the Athenaeum Theater Chicago. The series also includes a performance of Still Inspired Future Artists on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 3PM. For tickets and more information, visit stillinspireddance.com/events.
To learn more about Mary Porterfield’s artwork, visit maryporterfield.com
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