The World We’ve Created

The World We’ve Created

 

Photo by RJ Hooker. Image courtesy of Control Group Productions.
Photo by RJ Hooker. Image courtesy of Control Group Productions.

What is this world we’ve created? How should one negotiate the space and world within which we traverse? Are there boundaries and lines we define for ourselves that delineate the social constructs and norms of what is beauty, what is right, what is natural and what is pleasing?

The “intertwining acts of CREATION/CULTIVATION/DISRUPTION illusions of control, ownership,. originality, artistic genius…” These are all challenged and interrupted. Control Group ProductionsKim Olson/SWEET EDGE, Todd BilsboroughAmelia CharterBrian Freeland, Jeff Mohler and Mike Stone in partnership with Denver Theater District Arts & Venue rattle your cage in their latest collaboration: (the world we’ve created).

Performances run this weekend at the Studio Loft tonight at 6:30p and 8:30p and tomorrow, June 15 at 6:30p. Tickets may be purchased here: http://created.bpt.me/.

Upon entering the Studio Loft, one is transformed. The rules of engagement are challenged, the role of the fláneur is explored and repeated over and over so that you are literally moved from location to another continually uncomfortable and yet visually engaged.

Photo by James Glader. Images courtesy of Kim Olson-SWEET EDGE.
Photo by James Glader. Images courtesy of Kim Olson-SWEET EDGE.

The salon has layers of sensory exploration with Kim Olson/SWEET EDGE setting the scene in white trashbagesque costumes adorned with what seem to be fairy wings of twigs. The peacock array of twigs scratch against the wall and break as the dancers move from plane to plane (standing to ground). Waking the dangerous poet intermixes stunted vocabulary and broken movements. The raw intensity of the dancers urges you to the edge of your seat.

The video projection throughout the space varies between pre-programmed imagery to in-performance live film overlay with dancers fading in and over one another as the elusive cameraman using his iPhone 5 walks in and out zooming up close and personal and then at-large.

There is a portion of the experience where you are viewing two female dancers in what I took to be their apartments or bedrooms. As a voyeur you feel as though you are intruding on the private space and yet, captivated to see the deconstruction of self in-progress.

What do you dream alone in your room?

What actions transpire in secret?

How do you interpret the rote actions of daily life, the role of reproduction within our society and your ownership of self within that makeup? It may be there is no answer to this. It may be that you are the answer. It may be that it is all a small white polished rock sitting on a doily on a small white plate.


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!