Symbiosis Arts found themselves in Chicago’s Color Club to perform a two-night evening-length show this last weekend to sold-out audiences. The program explored the power of reflection as time progresses and the questions we ask ourselves as we begin new chapters of life.
Before the dancing began, Artistic Director Braeden Barnes took to the stage to explain the creative conception of the program. Drawing from his personal experiences as a dancer, he lamented about jokes he would receive about his age. Such comments like “How does it feel to be old?” and “You’re not in your 20’s anymore” left Barnes reflecting on what it means to be a dancer and the perceived time limit associated with the profession.
At the same time, Barnes was going through a period of change. After six years dancing for Visceral Dance Chicago, his time with the company was drawing to a close and he was facing an uncertain future. He explained the bittersweet feelings of leaving Visceral Dance Chicago and the overwhelming prospects of the future - experiencing a type of limbo between these stages of life.
Amidst the pressure to move on and achieve something greater, Barnes instead discovered solace in the present moment, likening it to the rhythmic cycles of a washing machine. Rather than rushing forward, he embraced the tranquility of remaining "in the wash" a little longer, finding peace amidst this transitional phase of life.
The program began with a semi-improvisational solo by Samantha (Sam) Weeks. Facing away from the audience into a full-length mirror, Weeks began by taking in her image – touching, cleaning and making faces at her reflection. Slowly she explored her hands – pointing, twisting, circling - and then her legs – extending, flexing, rolling. Each movement was imbued with a sense of introspection as Weeks took her time unraveling the intricacies of her body and uncovering her personal range of motion.
Her gentle, deliberate movement felt like a moment out of time. Through a slow and purposeful journey of self-discovery, she provided a moment of pause and reflection for the audience, demonstrating the importance of taking the time to explore and embrace the potential tranquility found within themselves.
In a humorous change in tone, a trio of dancers take the stage and engage in a friendly dialogue initiated by the question “What are you doing in the future?” to which the most immediate answer was “My future is doing my laundry.” A response that leads into a comical dialogue between the three dancers about their different experiences doing laundry - from expressing worries about washing delicates, problems with a bad laundromat, the “life-changing” inclusion of an in-unit washer and the differences between powder and liquid detergent.
As the dancers shared insight on the mundane task of laundry, they offered a metaphorical perspective on life itself. This prompted the audience to reflect on their own present moment and recognize the wealth of knowledge accumulated over their lifetime, especially in regard to the small in-between moments that often seem too mundane to acknowledge – such as which laundry detergent evokes the strongest feelings of home. It became a moment of introspection that emphasized the importance of taking time between cycles to appreciate and recognize the amount of personal and shared experiences learned throughout these different stages of life.
A duet performed by Amara Barnes and Brandon Talbott took a serious tone as they represented the perceived time limit of a dancer's body. Set to distorted electronic music reminiscent of a video game boss battle, there was a sense of urgency that was reflected through jerky, zombie-esque twists and snaps of the body. As the two dancers mimicked the snapping of their necks and back, they depicted the turmoil of being unable to find peace in the present – forcing their bodies to break instead of taking a moment to relax and reflect.
As the performance drew to a close, a rolling washer machine was brought onto the floor with one dancer, Michelle Meltzer, displaying a nervousness about what the washer held inside. Reaching into its depths, Meltzer began to pull out a long white sheet. Draping it around herself, her demeanor shifted, and she exuded a sense of joy as she playfully twirled the sheet above her head, revealing a deep connection and comfort with the fabric.
As Meltzer continued to remove the long sheet from the washer, a revelation unfolded—the fabric was not entirely clean. With each tug, the bottom half of the sheet is slowly unveiled to show words, phrases and doodles that mirrored Meltzer's inner thoughts and emotions, such as "No regrets," "HOW," and "I love mayo."
Meltzer, taking the time to reflect on these thoughts, is unable to move on to her next cycle in life. Despite the efforts of other dancers to pry the sheet from her grasp, she clings to it with desperation, unwilling to let go. Coming to a personal understanding of what is needed in that moment, Meltzer took the step to join the fabric in the washer, representing her coming to terms that she wanted to stay “in the wash,” i.e. the present moment, a little longer. A beautiful message that encouraged audiences to embrace the beauty of the present and resist the urge to rush forward when they are not ready.
Symbiosis Arts skillfully rendered the complex concept of time and the future into a digestible and grounded performance, a wonderful experience that left audiences prepared to tackle and live presently within their next cycle in life.
To learn more about Symbiosis Arts, visit their website at symbiosisarts.org or click the company link below.