The Deeper Meaning Behind "Inner Reformation"
This is especially what I don't want to tell. I have long struggled with telling the deeper meaning behind this dance story. Dare I, as the choreographer, present the fuller meaning? Is that permissible? I'm already risking enough by trying to make a work of art that the layperson can grasp. Can I reveal even more, for there does seem to be a story within the story of "Inner Reformation," doesn't there?
My approach to contemporary dance is already unusual, no doubt. It's a solo show, it's an autobiography . . . danced, it's a story, and I actually reveal a bit of meaning to my audience already (e.g. I tell them in my program a little bit about what each dance is about). But I don't readily reveal the GREATER meaning. I do this for a few reasons:
1) I like mystery. I like having to figure things out. Yet, I also hate it. I hate not knowing. It can almost drive me crazy. Yet, there is great satisfaction to be found in searching, in trying to solve a riddle. Like a good movie that is hard to crack, so I long for my art to remain mysterious. I don't want to tell you everything, for I feel that is true to life. So much in life we can't know, yet we mildly grasp it, almost as if we DO actually know it (but can't quite be sure). Thus, staying true to modern-day art, I do allow my audience to view my dance with their own personal lens. I don't reveal the deeper meaning, because I want them to think. I don't want to spell everything out, because it's more fun for everyone if I don't. Plus, the audience will highlight to me all things that I didn't initially see in the work (pointing out things that I never noticed, and thus enhancing my experience as the maker).
2) But secondly, I don't want to tell you, because I'm afraid. But I already declared that my fear cannot restrict my art. I have an obligation and I have a privilege as an artist to speak, even to share the greater meaning of my work. So I will share it here. HOWEVER, if you haven't seen my dance, don't read any further. Read this after you see my show, for then you will get the full experience: you will form your own thoughts (which is way more fun!), then you can read my own below (by clicking on "The Deeper Meaning").
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My approach to contemporary dance is already unusual, no doubt. It's a solo show, it's an autobiography . . . danced, it's a story, and I actually reveal a bit of meaning to my audience already (e.g. I tell them in my program a little bit about what each dance is about). But I don't readily reveal the GREATER meaning. I do this for a few reasons:
1) I like mystery. I like having to figure things out. Yet, I also hate it. I hate not knowing. It can almost drive me crazy. Yet, there is great satisfaction to be found in searching, in trying to solve a riddle. Like a good movie that is hard to crack, so I long for my art to remain mysterious. I don't want to tell you everything, for I feel that is true to life. So much in life we can't know, yet we mildly grasp it, almost as if we DO actually know it (but can't quite be sure). Thus, staying true to modern-day art, I do allow my audience to view my dance with their own personal lens. I don't reveal the deeper meaning, because I want them to think. I don't want to spell everything out, because it's more fun for everyone if I don't. Plus, the audience will highlight to me all things that I didn't initially see in the work (pointing out things that I never noticed, and thus enhancing my experience as the maker).
2) But secondly, I don't want to tell you, because I'm afraid. But I already declared that my fear cannot restrict my art. I have an obligation and I have a privilege as an artist to speak, even to share the greater meaning of my work. So I will share it here. HOWEVER, if you haven't seen my dance, don't read any further. Read this after you see my show, for then you will get the full experience: you will form your own thoughts (which is way more fun!), then you can read my own below (by clicking on "The Deeper Meaning").
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