Synapse Arts - New Works

After a five year hiatus, the New Works program returns with two new works by Artistic Director Rachel Damon and premieres by guest artist Anjal Chande and commissioned choreographers Chrissy Martin and Michelle Modrzejewski. 

 

"This Is How I Feel Today" is a contemporary bharatanatyam work that acknowledges, reflects on, and viscerally feels the nuances of each day. In this solo, guest artist Anjal Chande assembles a mosaic of introspective text, eclectic music, and expressive movement to explore questions such as "what does it mean to observe our thoughts and emotions?"

 

"Strata" is a duet commissioned by composer Tim Daisy and created by Rachel Damon in collaboration with performers Chih-Hsien/Joan Lin and Matthew McMunn. 

 

In her second piece, Rachel continues her multi-year project bringing together large-scale textiles and movement to examine the intersection of art and craft. “Textile Dance #4” is a new quartet created in collaboration with Katie Matteson-Campana, Gretchen Soechting, Megan Szajna, and Laura Tennal.

 

"Sonic Movement 1" is a collaborative effort of vocal sound and physical movement. Seven performers will interact through circular patterns that break apart and regenerate, creating an ambient and interactive environment that can be at once comforting and disorienting. 

 

The Bible's book of Lamentations describes the author crying out with grief as he responds to the destruction, inequality, and suffering of the world around him. "Sackcloth and Ashes" is a performance piece that takes a modern perspective, considering what it looks like when people from different faiths and backgrounds lament communally and heal collectively.