You need not look far for inspiration, especially in a city like Chicago where it can be found at every turn. Whether the artwork is visual or is a live performance, each creation is connected by its ability to reflect life. Still Inspired(?): Connections is an evening of dance that explores this connection between ‘still’ and ‘live’ art. Four choreographers each select a piece of art from a Chicago based visual artist to serve as the inspiration for a new choreographic work. Now in its fourth season of production, Still Inspired(?): Connections presents an evening of dance exploring the work of Sergio Gomez. DancerMusic’s Kristi Licera caught up with presenting choreographer Hanna Bricston to learn more about how she connected with Gomez’s art to create her up and coming work:
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Kristi: Tell us about the painting you selected from Sergio Gomez. What intially drew you to it, and how did the artwork inform or inspire your choreography?
Hanna: The piece of artwork I chose of Sergio’s is Elevation. Out of all the works, I first was drawn by the image of freedom or lightness I felt it captured. My personal life has recently left me feeling stuck and seeing this body rising up so beautifully made my heart and mind feel breath and life, which in turn led me to wanting to create about that.
Kristi: Was there a moment in your process where you hit a creative block? If so, what sources of inspiration did you use to help re-kindle your creativity?
Hanna: I don’t think I ever felt blocked necessarily in my process. For me, more inspiration happened when I thought about how my three dancers could relate to the image and to the thought process behind my dance. I knew all three of them have felt heavy and stuck and/or light and free many times in their lives. To me, having them give me their emotion, time and talent, was more inspiration than I could find somewhere else.
Part of a good creation for me is when I follow only my gut and know my thoughts are with hearing and seeing. It definitely inspires me to trust the process.
I also find that sometimes while creating dance we get lost in too many thoughts. We question ourselves and what we offer. I tried to clear my mind of any of this, as I do whenever I create. Part of a good creation for me personally is when I follow only my gut and know my thoughts are with hearing and seeing. It definitely inspires me to trust the process.
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See Still Inspired(?): Connections at Dovetail Studios, 2853 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, at 7:30pm on both Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3. Tickets will be available at the door or purchase in advance at Brown Paper Tickets. To learn more about the production and the artists, visit www.stillinspireddance.com.
