Ten Chicago Dancemakers Premiere Work Supported by the 2021 Digital Dance Grants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 30, 2021, 8:30am CT — Media Release PDF
Chicago, IL – Ten Chicago artists and their collaborators premiere new works through Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s 2021 Digital Dance Grants program. These local dancemakers and their projects, created during the first half of 2021, reflect a spirit of collaboration, experimentation, and artistic exploration in using digital technologies during the era of COVID-19.
Awardees of the 2021 Digital Dance Grants received $10,000, as well as technical support, resources, and opportunities for relationship building and cross learning.
Annie Franklin, grant awardee and creator of Shaping Lens, reflects on the collaborative work she produced: “This grant was one of the best things that has happened for me. It has taught me to go big or go home and trust my knowledge as an artist…through this process, I was able to see how far I could take my ideas and how possible it is to execute them with the proper tools. This grant has helped me raise the standard for exceptional dance film for myself and others within my dance community.”
For more information on these showcases, including sponsorship listings, visit this primary link.
Upcoming Premiere Dates:
July 16, 2021 – In Person Event: Shaping Lens
In the first event of the series, Annie Franklin (Archangels) and collaborator Kenny Washington host a live premiere party for “Shaping Lens,” a docuseries focused on the process of producing dance film. Tickets for the event 7:00-10:30pm at Trigger (2810 W Addison St) are $45. Toast to the evening with an open bar and light appetizers while you get a deeper look into the project.
Purchase tickets here.
July 29, 2021 – Online Showcase: Processing
A celebration and showcase of new process-focused works including “Hypostasis of the Aetheric Body” by Antibody Corporation in collaboration with Thorne Brandt, “The Process” podcast by Alyssa Gregory in collaboration with Anjal Chande, and an exploration of socially-distant, Afro-Latin partnered social dances created through green screen and other technologies by Maria Luisa in collaboration with Que4 Radio and Taylor Street Media.
August 12, 2021 – Online Showcase: Narratives/Visibilities
A mini film festival showcasing new works by Ashwaty Chennat in collaboration with Abhijeet Rane; Yoshinojo Fujima aka Rika Lin in collaboration with Subhash Maskara, Hekiun Oda, Matsuya Nozawa, and Toyoaki Sanjuro; and Zachary Nicol.
Summer 2021 – In person exhibitions: Interactive Mural Tour
Experience this interactive dance mural, created with virtual and augmented reality technologies, by B’Rael Ali Thunder in collaboration with multiple local artists.
TOUR SCHEDULE, in partnership with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s Night Out in the Parks Performances:
Tuley Park – July 21 | Garfield Park – July 22 | Palmer Park – August 12 | More sites/dates may be announced.
More information is available here.
October 2021 – Online workshop: Imperfections
A workshop with Ginger Lane, Ladonna Freidheim (ReinventAbility), and Jon Satrom (studiothread) premiering new software which explores the intersections of inclusive dance, disability culture, and digital art through, “Digitally Reinventing Imperfection.”
Date/Time TBA
October 2021 –TBA: Visita a Nuestros Muertos
Silvita Diaz Brown, in collaboration with film artist Alexandra Yasinovsky and other artists have created a dance film titled, “Visita a Nuestros Muertos,” inspired by Día de Muertos. This piece was sparked last fall during the long isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and honors Silvita’s mother while also inviting others to celebrate their deceased loved ones with beauty and grace.
Please use these approved images for any media coverageand contact Shawn Lent at shawn@chicagodancemakers.org with any further questions.
Sponsorships listed here: https://chicagodancemakers.org/show-item/2021-digital-dance-showcases/
Image Captions and Credits: Alyssa Gregory, by Anjali Pinto | Annie Franklin | Antibody Corporation | Ashwaty Chennat, by Alvin Cobb, Jr. | B’Rael Ali Thunder | Maria Luisa, by Oliver Sandoval | ReinventAbility | Silvita Diaz Brown | Kurokami: E {m} urge, by Yoshinojo Fujima (a.k.a. Rika Lin) and collaborators | Zachary Nicol
