...The performance, 3 Dancers, 4 chairs, 26 words by the Aynsley Vandenbroucke Movement Group was to me a sweet, contemplative exploration of two themes: grieving and semiotics. In the first moments of the piece, a sign informs us that this is a prologue. A woman places a series of written words on the stage. these words have an ominous message. Things are amiss; a man, woman, or child has died. The narrative device of a prologue gives the audience license to read a story into what follows, no matter how cyclical or atmospheric that story may be.....
...Words containers containing contain
What was that ? Who is this word
And serene was this life this one who asked who knew who went before.
Words can dance and dancers be words
Beginning...
...until the words
which cannot stay fixed
either
enter the white heart
of the woman
who is empty space
who has held
the bird the stone the dirt the grave...
...Life Death how the cycle moves around without much change
circle floating around with letters...how people say "I can't find the words to express what I am trying to say" however with these 26 words a new story was formed with new emotions each time...
"...The piece was mesmerizing to watch as each layer was revealed, shoved and manipulated through different speakers and movements. An accordion of perception, as each word was shaken and thrown..."
We've had some excellent recent press (and a collective audience review) for our off site Spring Season at CPR - Center for Performance Research, in Williamsburg Brooklyn and for our upcoming summer festival at MTA...
Audience Review
8:15pm: The dancers, percussionists, Matt and Aynsley, and a few others stand outside the studio, studying the sky. “Which way are the clouds moving?” Matt goes inside to check the weather. Radar shows rain over the reservoir, but nothing in Mt. Tremper. The decision is finally made: Full Circle will be performed for the first time outdoors, in the field above the studio. As the percussionists break down their gear and trot it from the studio to their cars to haul up the hill, the sky darkens and a few distant lightning flashes are visible over the mountain in the distance. “I’m getting kind of nervous,” says Matt. But there is no question. “We’re committed.”
9:00pm: Most of the guests have arrived and either begin the 8-minute walk up the hill, or climb into the car shuttling guests to the field. Each guest received a flashlight before heading up the hill, and many make use of the spray-bottles of OFF! on the ticket desk before heading up.
Listen to interview here
(It’s at the end of the show)
Finally, it’s the ArtSpace. Today we introduce you to a dancer with a difference. Aynsley Vandenbroucke, dancer, choreographer and founder of the Mount Tremper Arts in New York’s Catskills…was told by her teachers that she thinks too much to be a dancer. She’s rebelled against the rules that make dancers obedient robots with perfect technique. Her work combines thought with everyday motion.
Aynsley Vandenbroucke is a dancer and head of the Aynsley Vandenbroucke Movement Group. You can find out more about her and Mount Tremper Arts, as well as the center’s summer festival, at mttremperarts. com.