The Process Begins
To begin, Alessia and I looked at my work together. I put together a portfolio of work that I thought might resonate with her based on the performances and pieces of hers I had seen. We went through my portfolio as well as some photos of other work, and she identified specific images and elements that resonated with her and some that she specifically thought might align with or illuminate the other dancer-choreographers' work that was planned for the show. She had selected nearly all of the dance elements for the show at that point, though not all of the choreography was completed.
We discussed specific marks, the energies of my paintings, and color, amongst other aspects (I was taking notes!).
My next step was to photograph the paintings we discussed with my iPhone camera - very much a low-quality, work-in-progress photo shoot - and print them out. I printed them on regular printer paper, using a color laser printer, at sizes that I could then cut out and stick into my studio journal. I also added my discussion notes about each piece to the journal. I wish I'd taken more notes, or even had recorded, our conversation and will do that in future! (Lesson learned.)
Pages from my Studio Journal detailing the discussion Alessia and I had about my existing work
During our initial meeting, I asked her to send me any music that she was working from to develop the choreography and any music already decided on for the other dancers' works. She sent me several videos of the other performers, and I began to immerse myself in the sounds and the movement. I created playlists of the music they used and also based on that music. I began listening to the playlists not only as I worked on the commission but as I did errands, rode the subway, and walked around the city. I wanted to immerse myself in those sounds and in the movement.
The rest of the notes from my first meeting with Alessia
Now to get to work…
