Her Belongings Were All She Had

Her Belongings Were All She Had

Photo by Heather Gray Photography. Image courtesy of Between the Bones.
Photo by Heather Gray Photography. Image courtesy of Between the Bones.

The process and development of projekt move’s silent move challenges to reveal the space between leaving and arriving, according to their website. The dance company merges art, contemporary dance, theater and story.

Yesterday’s sold-out, premiere performance merged silent film, live music, snacks and the interplay of grounding versus ephemeral. The use of suitcases as props showcased the weight of stuff and its impermanence in our lives, yet also its continual pretense.

With each of the 5 dancers in matching alien Barbie costumes, entrance into the piece is at first challenging. The transitions between scene and feeling are directed by silent film projections of text on the wall behind the dancers. In addition, the live musical score transitions from white noise to piano. Like a female fight club, the women struggle to contain their stuff all while maintaining grace in movement.

The scene entitled “The Work” has the dancers donning paper clocks around their waists as if to say we work within time constructs daily to the point of mechanical routine. Like it is the loss of self in micromanaged minute and hour windows without being present.

Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. – Charlie Chaplin

The seemingly overt social commentary lent itself to introspection. The final scene opens with “The People actually, are the work.” With a costume change and removal of the wigs and masks, the women emerge, still dressed identically in open formed skirts. As if the complexity of fashion even when removed has the ultimate goal of making us all look alike. Women’s fashion has evolved throughout the years with varying stages of outlandish and immodest pairings leading trends. We all need grace and beauty to fit into the social construct of female.

A research-based company, projekt move lined the entry salon with idea boards sharing the process and work behind the movement. Self-described as the “authentic collaboration on the footholds of community support,” projekt move did truly evoke authentic collaboration. The sentiments of struggle, openness, desire, constraint and beauty resonated throughout.

Audience, you only have this weekend, do yourself a favor, purchase a ticket and let me know what you think of the show.


W. Celeste Davis Stragand: Published author, showcased artist and local Denverite, W. Celeste Davis Stragand is not new to the art world. Her passion for delving into the root of existence and movement will challenge and praise both choreographers and the audience. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Celeste holds two bachelor of arts degrees, one in Chemistry and the other in English. She is also a graduate of Naropa University holding a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing and Poetics from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. A former national slam team poet, Celeste is a graduate of the Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership Program and sits on the American Institute of Architects Colorado board. Her passion and enthusiasm for the kinetic arts will frolic and frenzy through the upcoming season of performances with many hopes for an encore!