Dance
The impetus for this series of conversations between a visual artist and a choreographer comes directly from my recent collaborative work with a choreographer as part of Norte Maar’s CounterPointe10. In this unique project a choreographer is paired with a visual artist to create together over two months a dance performance that integrates the two disciplines into a cohesive vision. Here is the conversation between artist Marcy Rosenblat and Choreographer Amanda Treiber.
Tell us about your collaborative process.
Marcy: Entering the collaborative process as a painter with a solitary studio practice was both daunting and exhilarating. Amanda and I met for the first time at my studio. I had just returned from India. Consequently, a lot of my initial concepts sprung from the visual impact of the trip. We looked at my paintings together and as soon as we began to talk, my previous ideas fell away during our fluid conversation that continued throughout all our partnership.
At the first meeting we agreed that we wanted whatever I produced for the dancers to work continuously throughout the performance. Amanda suggested to use my paintings as a place to begin and I wanted her to feel free and supported as she choreographed.
At that point I started working alone to develop the shapes and visual concepts for the dance and Amanda began creating a few moves. After I completed a prototype, we met at my studio again to discuss how to proceed. Once the pieces were partially complete, we brought them to her studio where Amanda could begin working on combining the sections I had created with her dance movements. I was there during most of the rehearsals, an experience I won’t easily forget. I truly loved being involved with the whole process.
Amanda: I immediately felt comfortable with Marcy, and the idea for our piece came together quickly and organically. We seemed to be on the same wavelength right from the start. For example, the proportions of the artwork in relation to the dancers in the space had to be just right. Marcy created a model of the Mark O’Donnell Theater and mock-ups of her work. We agreed the art needed to be larger than the tallest dancer. Once the pieces were constructed, we introduced them to the dancers who were so excited to begin experimenting.
Marcy’s work is one that I easily pulled inspiration from. The shapes and textures naturally align with my movement style, and even opened up new ideas and possibilities for me. She never once said no. She was warm and intrigued by the process between dancers and choreographer, and allowed me the space to experiment without judgment.
What is your takeaway from this collaboration?
Marcy: Working across disciplines has been illuminating and gave me the opportunity to create something I’d never done before. I can’t say enough about how significant it was to participate in Counterpointe. I’m grateful to Jason and Julia for the opportunity to work with Amanda, who was as much a support as well as a collaborator. Meeting all the collaborators has added an unexpected layer to who I am as an artist and the way I now think about my work.
Amanda: Creating Sideslip felt like a collaboration in the truest sense of the word. Marcy was present for the majority of the rehearsals giving support and inspiration. I found myself creating movement in a way I have never done before. My movement vocabulary became more original and for the first time I was working in an abstract way. I’m looking forward to my continued collaboration with Marcy and the potential future performances of Sideslip.
About artist: Marcy Rosenblat is an artist living and working in Brooklyn, NY. Her recent paintings create the illusion of fabric enveloping the surface of the canvas. While enigmatic curvilinear shapes blur the boundaries between abstraction and figuration, positing a kind of internal/external debate within themselves. Exhibitions include Fordham University, Galerie Berlin am Meer, Germany, Smith College, Rawls Museum, Salisbury University, The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kouros Gallery, Frumkin Gallery and Kathryn Markel Fine Arts. She received an artist’s grant from the Women’s Art Development Committee. Most recently she had a solo exhibition at the Jason Mccoy Gallery, NY (online), and was included in Salon Zurcher, 11 Women of Spirit, Zurcher Gallery, NY. Ms. Rosenblat was born in Chicago Illinois and received her BFA from Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She’s scheduled to have a solo show at 490 Atlantic Gallery, NY in September 2023.
About choreographer: Amanda Treiber is a dancer/choreographer in New York City. She is a former principal with New York Theatre Ballet, where for fifteen seasons she was featured in masterworks by Ashton, Cunningham, DeMille, Limón, Robbins, and Tudor, and originated roles by Sir Richard Alston, Gemma Bond, Nicolo Fonte, Antonia Franceschi, and Pam Tanowitz. Ms. Treiber’s choreographic debut “Wind-Up” premiered in April 2021, and received critical acclaim. Most recently, “Sideslip” was presented at the 10th anniversary performance of CounterPointe. She has received a City Artist Corps grant, a choreographic residency at Sky Hill Farm Studio, and is a frequent collaborator with the Little Orchestra Society. Ms. Treiber has appeared with Gemma Bond Dance, Co•Lab Dance, David Gordon’s Pick Up Performance Company, and Tom Gold Dance. She has performed in ballet festivals in Nicaragua and Peru, as well as the ribbon cutting ceremony for Blake’s Barn at Jacob’s Pillow.