Does art imitate life or does life imitate art? Though this philosophical question may not have a definitive answer, art’s link to culture and identity is much less obscure. This will be discussed during the Gesel Mason Guest Artist Residency, which will take place Jan. 15 to 17. While she is here, Mason will host a master class, as well as a lecture and a performance. Her lecture, Culture and Identity Through Art, will reflect on how cultural questions can be approached through movement.
Mason’s performance will consist of her innovative routine No Boundaries: Dancing the Visions of Contemporary Black Choreographers. The dance combines the solos of influential choreographers such as Donald McKayle, Bebe Miller, David Rousseve and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar into a show that celebrates the work of black artists in modern dance. Her performance will also consist of videos of performers, choreographers and cultural artifacts.
The University was presented with this opportunity when Drama Prof. Theresa Davis, who had worked with Mason previously, helped the department apply for a grant from the New England Foundation of the Arts. Mason’s residency is being presented in conjunction with the drama department, the Vice Provost for the Arts’ office, the College, the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies, the Office of Diversity and Equity and the Office of African-American Affairs. Because this residency is in conjunction with such a wide variety of associations and departments, the turnout is expected to be strong.
“The reaction has been really wonderful,” the event’s publicity coordinator Caroline Ryon said. “We look forward to continued interest in the days leading up to the residency.”
The master class will consist of dancers from both the University and Charlottesville communities. Dancers, however, will not be the only artists privy to Mason’s expertise.
“Mason will also teach classes for University student-actors that will explore issues of identity through improvisation, text and movement,” drama department staff member Jennifer Mays elaborated. Identity plays a major role in Mason’s work. Through art, not only can individual identity be established but cultural identity, as well. Mason is a unique artist in that she is able to translate these abstract concepts into dance.
“As an artist, I find Gesel’s work unique in how she sees the world and translates it into movement and dance specifically,” Assoc. Drama Prof. Theresa M. Davis said. “She is an amazing artist.”
Mason will also speak to students about light, costume and production design, as well as creative collaboration with actors and dancers. Through her work, Mason is able to communicate a collaborative cross-cultural and cross-discipline experience where more than just dance or black cultural identity is used. Mason incorporates all relevant cultural experiences into her movement, and she recognizes the other components that make up an artistic experience. “We hope students will come away from the event with a greater perspective on the creative and collaborative processes present in the theater and dance as well as the cultural influences that can affect art,” Mays said.
Tickets go on sale today and can be purchased through the drama department box office.
Read More
The best albums of 2014
By Noah Zeidman | December 4, 2014Across genres, it has been a pretty great year in music.
Top 10 movies of 2014
December 4, 2014This has been an excellent year for film, offering everything from gripping blockbusters to innovative personal films.
Iggy Azalea is “Reclassified”
December 4, 2014It has become common practice among music artists to repackage their albums in an effort to simultaneously boost single sales and dish out new content by slightly renaming the album or slapping “Deluxe” onto the title.
