Make Dance Here

They are just arms.

2011-02-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

A couple weekends ago, I participated in a performance directed by Melissa Watt, called Body, where I held my arms out in the air for twenty minutes. Like this:

Yeah, that was hard, but not as hard as you might imagine. During the performance, I realized that the task of keeping my arms in the air wasn't the struggle. The struggle was dealing with all the emotions that I attached to my arms. I remember a moment thinking: "I've got to keep my arms up! What will happen if I put them down?"

Guess what? Nothing happens when you put your arms down. They are just arms-- just some muscles, bones, blood, and energy. Everything else is just stuff I attached to them--fear, vulnerability, failure, etc.

Noticing that I was the one making it all a big deal, I stopped and focused on my arms. They were hot, shaky, and tired. So, I bent my elbows, wiggled my fingers, and just kept them up. (They weren't even sore the next day!)

Feeling up for the challenge? Give it a whirl. Keep em' up or put em' down....it doesn't matter, because in the end they are just arms.

Ghost Ideas

2011-02-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of gathering some quotes that circulate during the holiday season in America (for my new project) and stumbled across this quote by Charles Dickens. It pretty much sums up what I need to do with this blog.

An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself.

On making...

2010-12-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about starting another blog, generally about making things, but I do not need another blog to try and keep up with. Instead, I'll share some thoughts about MAKING that I find relevant to dance, but even more so, relevant to life.

I like the word make better than create. To make something is to dig in, get yourself dirty, and figure it out. It could be a pot of soup, the lyric to a song, the bow on a present....really, anything!

I love making something from nothing and I tend to do this in two ways: dancing and baking.

When choreographing, directing a project, or just improvising, this is exactly what I do. I make movement from nothing. There is no pattern, no stencils, no how-to book. It is just me. Of course I get ideas from lots of outside sources: media, music, nature, people, dogs, etc. But in the end it's just me, my body, and my brain. I have to dig in, get sweaty, and figure it out. How awesome.

If I wasn't a dancer, I would totally be a baker. But even more than a recipe connoisseur, I would be a baking inventor. I LOVE to put a bunch of ingredients in a bowl -- some powdered, some liquid, some fizzy, some slimy -- and somehow end up with something warm, golden, and smelling delicious. It's magic.

What do you make from nothing?

Do you open your refrigerator and somehow manage to come up with a great meal from that wilted lettuce, mayonnaise, and can of beets? I love that!

For some people, this process of making something from nothing can seem effortless. (Admit it, they kind of piss you off, don't they?) But, I truly believe everyone has the power to make. So, go try it. Get a little messy, have some fun, and figure it out.

Bring on the plaid.

2010-12-06T13:56:00.000-08:00

Photo by Jesse Scroggins

The winds have changed...I'm working on a new idea. (Don't worry, my solo is not dead...just being re purposed) I want to start making a dance exploring the bucolic imagery that fills American media during the holiday season. The final product will be presented in the late Fall, 2011.

So, why am I doing this?

Well, the truth is, I am a little obsessed with holiday imagery. Advertisements taunt me with their perfectly wrapped gifts and table settings right out of Martha Stewart's home. What's odd is, they don't even match my sense of design; I like mismatching prints, burnt wood, and kitsch. Perhaps it's not the design that entices me, but the sense of wonder it brings out in me. What would it be like to live in that image? What would it feel like?

As I look at holiday catalogs, l am fully aware that all of these photo shoots have been systematically arranged to entice the ideal consumer, namely me. The delicate dinner arrangements have been sprayed with hairspray, dusted with glitter, and photoshopped to look better than food for the Gods. How could this facade translate to a dance? For starters, I think it would be interesting to expose all the things that make these images look so good: the lighting, the coiffing, the glitter, etc. It would be like seeing the "behind the scenes" footage as the actual performance.

So, here we go. If you've ever wondered how your life would change if it were cloaked in flannel, this is the time. Bring on the plaid.

Catching Up

2010-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well, crap, it's October...the end of October. What have I been doing, you ask? This:

Photo by Jordan Fuch

I went to the Texas Dance Improvisation Festival in Houston. What a treat! Fantastic teachers, hosts, and fellow dancers to play with. Thank you Rice University, Leslie Scates, and Rosie Trump for hosting this great event!

I started learning a new solo by Melissa Bijork. It's good to be learning movement....I was feeling a little to insular for awhile. Here's some snipets:

We registered the Big Rig Dance Collective name in Denton County, TX. (I'm a Co-Director)

I presented my paper, Sourcing, Creating, and Sharing: A Method for Creating Site Specific Performances, at the National Dance Educators Conference (NDEO) in Tempe, AZ. Met some great people, including Jane Hawley. Check out what she's doing at Luther College.

I'm collecting some footage for my solo project, which will include a film component. Working title: Contemplating the End. (Thanks to Jhon Stronks for the title)

A little more on this Contemplating the End business...

Sound's morbid, right? Well, that's not what I'm going for. Actually, I want to craft this project by using a lot of beginnings. I tend to have a lot of ideas for the start of a projects, so I thought...What would happen if I strung all these beginnings together? What would it turn into?

The first beginning was the creation of a phrase. You can see that in my older posts below.

My current beginning is this:

I had this idea of layering dancing footage with non-dancing footage. I'm interested in all the movement we do on a regular basis that might not be considered dance, and how it could be composed in a way that looks or feels like dance. Right now I have treadmill running and cycling. Here's a bit of cycling from my handlebars' perspective:

Well, I think that catches us up. Glad you're still here...sorry I took so long.
-Lily

Flash Mob turns Dance Film

2010-09-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was at Columbia College in SC doing a residency at the dance department. We did a flash mob, then turned the wonky footage into a dance film. The students did all the hands-on editing....I was there to support them. Here's what we made!

PS- I am still accepting ACTIONS and BODY PARTS. They will be sting together in rehearsal this week.

-Lily

Gimme some of your moves!

2010-09-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

This week's rehearsal was hard....yes, physically hard, but more so mentally/emotionally hard.

I'm feeling stuck. I can't seem to remember movement material after improvising.

So, I would like to ask for YOUR help.

Below in the comments area, please submit an ACTION (throw, jump, drop, roll, etc.) and SPECIFIC BODY PART (right elbow, left knee, upper right scapula, etc.). I am going to compile these actions/body parts into a movement phrase for next week.

See ya!
-Lily

Week 2 Solo Mania

2010-09-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

I'm still playing catch up on videos. This was actually last week....but you get the idea.

In this rehearsal, I started with a movement phrase that I already knew. It was one I created for another dance and felt very natural/easy to do. From there, I messed it all up. I took the original phrase, broke it down piece by piece, and basically made myself stop and investigate my choices. Whichever direction felt comfortable, I went the opposite. If my momentum was going one way, I tried to go the other.

It was a little wild at first...this video is pretty tame and slow because it's at the end of rehearsal and I was pooped.

In the end, the new phrase was short, but had a lot of interesting moments for me and helped me find new movement possibilities.

See ya next time!

-Lily

I'm back!

2010-09-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

I just finished my M.F.A. a couple months ago. I’m co-running Big Rig Dance Collective....but it gets lonely since my fellow Big Riggers are still finishing grad school.

So what’s a lonely little dancer to do?

Make a solo.

Here’s week 1.....starting from scratch.

HIATUS!

2010-05-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

Well, my paper is done.

I'm about 2 weeks from graduating.

What shall this blog become?

I'm not sure yet, so in the mean time, please visit my new website: www.lilysloan.com

Thanks!

An Article by Camille LeFevre

2010-02-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

On Location: The BodyCartography Project Talks About the Importance of Place

Someone wrote my paper!

2010-02-24T06:28:00.000-08:00

This paper looks great:

The audience completes the piece: Site-specific dance choreographers as unalienating laborers
by Rachel Engh

I love that I wrote down the same quote from the book, One Place After Another: Site-Specific Art and Locational Identity, that Ms. Engh begins her paper with. Thank you Miwon Kwon!

What IS the artwork?

2010-02-05T06:19:00.001-08:00

I love this...

Suzanne Lacy, of Chicago’s public art project Culture in Action, claims: “…what exists in the space between the words public and art is an unknown relationship between artist and audience, a relationship that may itself be the artwork” (Kwon, 105).

I'm curious how this unknown relationship exists in dance in public spaces. I think the new experience created by having performances in familiar, public spaces is the art. The context creates the art.

What do you think?

Yet another awesome community-building art project..

2010-01-27T10:13:00.001-08:00

Just look...

Turning Empty Spaces into...

2010-01-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

What would you do with an emply storefront? It's rent free, for up to three months.

Take a look at UK's biggest "slack space" project- Brixton Village indoor market. Damn...why don't I live in the UK?

Making Performance Space into Pulic Space

2010-01-27T09:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in my Producing class we were talking about the open-door policy of S.L.A.M, which is the rehearsal/performance space for STREB. I love this idea of making a performance space into a public space. Anyone can literally walk in the door, watch a rehearsal, take a class, eat their lunch, and use their wifi. How cool is that?

I've been thinking of ways that public spaces could be used as performance spaces, but this is sometimes difficult for dancers. Our dancing environment needs to support our bodies...and concrete floors hurt after awhile. So...how can a space that is funcional for dancing and movment be useful to the public?

Here's a rehearsal video providing a sneak preview of the "whizzing gizmo."

Penninsula

2010-01-21T06:15:00.000-08:00

An ongoing programme of artists' commissions, investigating and interrogating the Greenwich Peninsula as the area undergoes a huge transformation.

These projects are so neat!

Again, we have social spaces, community involvement, and art. What a delicious culture sandwich that makes.

Street with a view

2010-01-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

We all know what Google Street View is...those mildly creepy photos of your street when you are probably not there.

What if you had control over how your street was seen?
Check out this project by Robin Hewlett and Ben Kingsley, called Street With A View.

This project is really interesting, especially how they involved the people that live in that neighborhood. So, we've got site-specificity, community involvement, and social spaces...

I'm seeing connections here.

I'm writing a paper!

2010-01-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right, I'm writing a paper. A professional paper. (Now say that in a British accent..." A professional paper!")

The main ideas I am thinking about are:

performances in social, public spaces
developing a community within physical social spaces and virtual social spaces (like this one!) through the engagement in a public performance

I just stumbled across this video of Professor David Gauntlett's inaugural lecture, 'Participation culture, creativity, and social change', from November 12, 2008. It's pretty rockin'. After watching it I feel like there is some common language used in his talk and in my head. For instance: MAKING and DOING. How do we put more opportunities to make and to do in the social, public sphere? How can performance do that?

This may be a bit tangential...but there's something there. I'm just not sure what yet.

A little excerpt from Saturday night...

2010-01-14T17:49:00.001-08:00

Wrapping it up

2009-12-27T07:50:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays All,

Just a few loose ends to tie with left over wrapping paper...

1. Hopefully, if you requested a DVD and supplied your address, you have received it! If not, please send Lily a message.

2. Did you watch the DVD? No? Well, you've been busy. We understand, but when you do, please drop a little comment about what you thought.

3. If you were able to come to the show, do you remember it? Did you have too much eggnog since then? Well, if you remember, drop us a little comment and let us know what you thought.

Bethany and I are entering our LAST semester of graduate school, and we're writing separate papers about the project. So, in addition to the fact that you are awesome, this is why we would love to hear your feedback.

Thanks again for all your support in 2009. Lets do more in 2010! Happy New Year everybody!

-Lily

Reviews!

2009-12-15T19:28:00.000-08:00

I've got some smart bloggers in the family! Check out my mom's blip on her blog about Complex Environments.

Teeny Video

2009-12-15T06:06:00.000-08:00

My brother, Robin, posted about Complex Environments on his blog, including this little video.

Complex Environments CAKE!

2009-12-15T05:47:00.003-08:00

Complex Environments, originally uploaded by lssloan.

Awwww

2009-12-15T05:47:00.001-08:00

Complex Environments, originally uploaded by lssloan.

What a good cast!

Complex Environments

2009-12-15T05:46:00.001-08:00

Complex Environments, originally uploaded by lssloan.

Fun before out Saturday night performance.

Whoa!

2009-12-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been a week since we did Complex Environments. Within a few days, Bethany and I were driving down to Austin for a workshop with Nancy Stark Smith, so I don't think I ever did a re-cap of the performance.

In short....it was GREAT! Great crowd, great response, great feelings all around!

Tomorrow, we make the dvds and get them ready to ship off to all the Backers. I can't wait to see the footage. I'll be sure to get a little clip of the performance up on the blog soon.

Till the next time...

-Lily

2009-12-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

Well....just as our dear mentor who shall remain nameless suggested, some of the best performances happen after chaos. Well...we had that this morning.

1. It snowed. (in Texas!)
2. The projector did not work because it was so cold.
3. I ran over Bethany's hair while moving a couch.
4. Bethany ran into a chair and bruised the !@#$ out of her knee.
5. José yelled at Melissa (oh wait, that was planned)
6. Did I mention that the projector DID NOT WORK?

AHHHHH!

But after a strange, but fun and still great rehearsal, everything and everyone is OK. The projector works now. It just needed its fuzzy slippers.

After all that, all I have to say is ......... BRING IT!

Bring it!

2009-11-30T19:34:00.000-08:00

It is time.

We are ready.

So, bring it!

Come to Banter at 219 W. Oak in Denton, TX THIS Friday and Saturday at 8p.m.

Here's a theoretical question to ponder over ( and comment on)...

What is the aesthetic of "awesome"?

ok.

bye.

Postcards are on the way!

2009-11-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

The final postcard design is done and printed. Look for them around Downtown Denton, or if you're lucky, in your mailbox!

Getting down to crunch time!

2009-11-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

Well, as graduate students, we are also involved in the many performances that take place within the Department of Dance. This week kicks off our concert series, and both Bethany and I, along with several of our cast members, are in the theater every night rehearsing for this weekend's show. To say the least, we're pooped! But, that doesn't stop Complex Environments! We all woke up bright and early this past Sunday for a fun 8:30 a.m. rehearsal at Banter with our musician, John. Tomorrow morning, we shall do it again!

The postcards will be sent to print today- with a brand new design. Thanks for all the feedback on the previous design; your comments were noted.

A question for you: What slow song do you most remember from awkward school dances?

Thanks again for all your support!

We made it!

2009-11-03T11:51:00.000-08:00

I came home last night after a late rehearsal, checked my email, and what to my wondering eyes should appear.....A FULLY FUNDED KICKSTARTER PROJECT!

Thanks to pals, Rex and Lucy, who tipped us over the fundraising edge, we have met our goal. Woo hoo!

Things are certainly well underway. The last six rehearsals are marked on the calendar, I'm about to get our postcards proofed, and we have begun arranging the VIP seating chart. (Okay, it's not a chart yet...just a list)

Thanks again to all of the wonderful people who have contributed to our project. Our gratitude will soon reach your mailbox, and we hope to make your tummies and creative spirits happy come December 4th and 5th.

Until then, my lovelies...until then!

-Lily

Design Ideas

2009-10-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

Do you like these? Which one? Why?

The virtuosity of brushing your hair

2009-10-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about virtuosity and how it relates to this piece. How can semi-pedestrian movement be virtuosic? Is it the transitions? It is the layers? Is it the improvisational nature of it?

There is something about the seamless transitions between casual movement to contact that seems virtuosic. How does one shift from a relaxed state of brushing hair out of one's face to a more frenetic state of jumping on someone's back, and then shift back to the original state?

What do you think about that? What does seamlessness mean to you?

New Update by the fire...

2009-10-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

Today we posted a new update from our rehearsal this morning....by the fire.

We have this great little fake fireplace in our performance space in Banter. Well, it was on when we got there this morning at 8 a.m. and it lured us to sit around, eat cookies, and drink coffee for the first part of rehearsal. We never do this, but regardless, goofing around turned into a really goofy run of the piece. I think Bethany was talking into a coffee cup at some point.

That said, what a fun run! It's amazing what happens when you loosen up, have some fun, and open up the score a bit.

Anyway, check out the update video and keep submitting questions. They are so great!

Backers Submit Questions

2009-10-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Recently, we posted a new update on our Kickstarter page that is exclusively for Backers. But, I guess I can tell you what it is about.

We want QUESTIONS...and lots of them. There is a particular part of the performance where we need a long list of questions, so we asked our Backers to provide them. Here are a few so far:

Has any human being ever actually been raised by wolves?
Will I ever pay off my student loan debt?
Why won't Jim Cantore return my phone calls?
What time do the fish dance?
Why is repetition so comforting?
Should wet birds fly at night?
If you were a spatula, would you be plastic or metal?
Which would win in a battle, electricity or lava?

Aren't they great? I'm looking forward to the rest of the questions. Thanks Backers!

New Kickstarter Update!

2009-09-29T12:32:00.000-07:00

Howdy Folks!

Check out our most excellent video update on Kickstarter. It includes some rehearsal footage, some looney tunes, and some general dorkiness. What else could you ask for?

Hurrah - 50% funded on the project!

What happens when 6 dancers get together at a bar at 8am?

2009-09-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

THIS...

Parallel Universes!

2009-09-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the project and how we seem to be inserting ourselves in the site. I envision it like there are a bunch of portals to parallel universes in Banter. In these parallel universes, Banter looks basically the same: it has the same furniture, the same large brick wall...it's the people that are NOT the same. I mean they're kinda the same; they are young, hip looking, but what they DO is very strange.

In this parallel universe, people:

are upside down
are hyper
have a different idea of linear language
make out at inopportune times

What would people do in YOUR parallel universe?

Kickstarter Project...3...2...1...LAUNCH!

2009-09-18T18:22:00.000-07:00

Just two days ago, we launched Complex Environments on Kickstarter and are already 15% backed. WOOT! I'm getting really excited about the 'eventfulness' of this project and its got me thinking about the future. How can this be what I do? To make local events that support local art that are also lively, fun, and social? Ideas?

Anyway, I wanted to thank all of our backers and all of our soon-to-be-backers. Check out us on Kickstarter here!

9/9/09 Banter Rehearsal

2009-09-10T06:15:00.001-07:00

9/9/09 Banter Rehearsal, originally uploaded by lssloan.

A short little bit from rehearsal. All the movement and text was taken during SPY TIME and turned into something new.

Banter is officially under Surveillance.

2009-09-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
I’m Bethany and I’m really excited to be a contributor to MakeDanceHere. I can has blog? Thanks a gazillion, Lily. Wooty woot, ya’ll!

Now down to business.
It’s time to launch…

Operation: Banter Space Data Collection (BSDC).

Banter is officially under Surveillance.

You can HELP US OUT by completing one of the following missions. Or both, if you are super awesome. And we think you’re super awesome!

Mission I: Social Surveillance

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to visit Banter and watch people. If you feel brave, you could even talk to people. But first notice…
Are people alone? In couples? Groups? Young? Old? On computers? Reading? Eating? Talking? What are they talking about? Do they look friendly? What are they wearing? Are they blinking, singing, swaying, sneaking, underwater basket weaving? Do you see someone who moves or speaks in an interesting way?
We want any information you can gather. A-N-Y.
But if you need more structure, try this…
1. Tell us about who you see. Clothes. Age. What they are doing. Who they are with.
2. Tell us about the conversations you hear. Content or just random words.
3. Try to make a friend by telling someone you don’t know what you’re doing for the project and see if they’ll help you. It’s always amazing to see what other people notice that you might not.

Mission II: Sensory Surveillance

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to visit Banter with all senses on high. How does this space look, sound, smell?
What textures do you find? How do they feel?
How can you find new ways to look at and hear and feel the space?
Did you get a sandwich? A beer? Tell us how it tasted.
You can focus on the entire space or perhaps one small section of the café.
You are welcome to give us as much information as possible.
We’re happy to sift through it.

You can do these missions separately or all at once.
We’re doing the missions too, of course, but we’re really interested in what you find.
Like we said in Mission I, it’s always amazing to see what other people notice that you might miss.

Good Luck, Soldier.

Bodies in Urban Spaces

2009-09-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Yet again, I was led to another great resource by my mom, BettyAnn, who I might add, is a fantastic blogger.

So, check it out:

Vienna/Austria based Cie. Willi Dorne created a work called Bodies in Urban Spaces that "points out the urban functional structure and uncovers the restricted movement possibilities and behaviour as well as rules and limitations."

An article from Weburbanist says how Dorne seeks to create an experience for his audience and wants to inspire viewers to change their perspective and see things in a slightly different way.

I love this kind of public, guerilla performance art. What is most interesting is the insertion of something totally wonderful and quite bizarre into an everyday environment. This is very similar to my desire for Complex Environments. I want to insert an alternate reality in a bar, using material made from real people. I think inserting unusual art in usual space is such a great way to think about changing perspectives and seeing things in s different way.

Does that make sense?

Side note- I do have a video coming from the Twitter/Facebook actions. Go Nadia for making an AWESOME little solo sequence with it.

duh...it's about COMMUNITY

2009-09-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

This project is about community. Why didn't I realize that before?

A few turn of events sparked my thoughts on this...

1. Dance Theater Workshop's (DTW) Community Choreography. These are short dance videos made from Tweets! Followers on Twitter send in an action; anything from 'spin!' to ' re-enact a death scene from an old western movie.' Then, the folks at DTW string them together and make wonderful little videos. My action can be seen in Community Chor. #11, however #12 is a MUST SEE.

Why does this all matter? I think the roots of these choreography projects are very similar to my own--sourcing material from other people, stringing it together, seeing what happens.

What's special about these kinds of projects is that ANYONE can be included, and you really do feel like a member of the creative team, even if you just Tweeted "point your finger in the air and spin counterclockwise."

2. KICKSTARTER! My brother just launched a new book project on Kickstarter which got me thinking about launching this project onto Kickstarter. It isn't official yet, but I think this could be another really great way to explore and expand on the idea of community.

**Background: Kickstarter is basically a way of funding creative projects through a community. 'Backers' donate various amounts, which are often based on a tier of intensives ( a free tee shirt, a book, an autograph, VIP seats, etc)

My idea: VIP Backers could submit some sort of ACTION which would be turned into an interesting sequence of movement. During the performance, this specific sequence could be "inserted," with some sort of bold announcement that clearly states where the movement came from....PEOPLE!

3. Lastly, just in thinking about this blog and how much I enjoy sharing my ideas, as well as how much people have responded to them, I feel like this idea of community is more central to the work than I might have first imagined.

Neat!
What do you think?

Twitter/Facebook Action!

2009-08-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

So the other day I asked some folks via Twitter and Facebook to describe their last action. I received several different responses:

I just put down my cell phone after a long conversation with my mom.

I just ate five pickles. Computer on my lap, small bowl of deliciousness to my right. Delicately grab pickle with two fingers, type with ten...small bites between grab and type.

hung up wet clothes to dry. 4 dresses, 3 bras, 1 shirt, 6 hangers, on the bathroom shower curtain rod.

I rolled over, picked my wedgie, and covered up with a blanket. Now I am texting with my right hand only.

I put a dvd into my imac to burn, imed someone on yahoo, and just took a quiz on here.

sat down on couch. picked up laptop off floor and sat on lap. left elbow on arm of couch. ran fingers through hair and looked depressed cause now i have to go out in the rain to get my dry laundry.

Turned the page in a manga while leaning back on my couch.

Next, I took some key words and strung them together for a mini action score. It's pretty open, try it out!

1. put down
2. grab
3. hang over
4. pick
5. cover with right hand only
6. burn
7. sit down
7. puck up and put on lap
8. run fingers through hair
9. look depressed

Giants and Imagination

2009-08-25T16:30:00.001-07:00

Ok- I haven't even finished this article, but I wanted to make sure I didn't forget to post it.

If you're interested in public art, giants, imagination, story, and wonder, you should read it. I'm going to go do that now too.

Thanks, BettyAnn for the link.

Deadlines coming....must THINK!

2009-08-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

Well I was going to post a new action score video....but it disappeared. Silly computer.

Instead...some thoughts on Richard Foreman and The Second City.

In Foreman's book, Unbalancing Acts, he says:

To make theater, all you need is a defined space and things that enter and leave that space...Theater is presence and absence.

Just the words presence and absence really stuck with me. I've been thinking about this process and how I keep taking things out of the environment and putting them back in. For instance, I sneakily acquired all this material based on what people do in Banter (the cafe). Then, I took it away. I played with it with the performers, José and Juan Pablo. Then, I will take it back to the environment in which it originated, but in a much different form.

I'm not saying this is what Foreman was saying. But just thinking about the space, and things entering and exiting seems so simple...but it can be so complex.

I was also thinking about how other artists/entertainers generate material from everyday experiences and thought of The Second City. I took some classes in their training school in Detroit, so I have a wee bit of personal experience. The kinds of scenes that were real gems were the ones that were identifiable, but so absurd or strange that you had to laugh at them. I think this juxtaposition of really normal, identifiable scenarios and bizarro-land weirdness is really interesting...

What do you think?

BONUS: We have a title!

Our performance will be called Complex Environments: This is not a bar.

SPY NOVEL WRITING

2009-08-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I am not the only one spying to make art. At the Heathrow airport author, Alain de Botton, can be seen at a desk with his laptop...SPYING.

OK- the word spy is not really ever used, but he's just sitting there, getting material from whatever happens. Like- WHATEVER. If he sees a roach family twinkle-toe out of a restaurant, that is fair game. After a week of documenting what he sees he will be writing a book to be distributed on Sept. 21st. Check out more in the NYT article by Andrew Adam Newman.

Another example of why public spying= awesome.

Action Scores take ACTION!

2009-08-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

The movement in this video was developed straight from notes taken while spying on people's actions in Banter (a cafe/bar in Denton, TX)

Specifically, you can trace the movement back to posts on 8/7 and 8/15. These are not the final versions of anything. They are the first attempts at playing with "found movement."

spy+random movement sequencing+layering= wacky wacky dance.

awesome.

Autonomous Agents

2009-08-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

A quote from Media in Performance: Interactive Spaces for Dance, Theater, Circus, and Museum Exhibits. by F. Sparacino, G. Davenport, and A. Penland.

Autonomous Agents are software agents with a set of time-dependent goals or motivations that the agents try to satisfy in a complex dynamic environment (such as the real world).

Now watch when I replace "software" with "HUMANS!"

Autonomous Agents are HUMAN agents with a set of time-dependent goals or motivations that the agents try to satisfy in a complex dynamic environment(such as the real world).

This sounds like a great performance!

action score #2

2009-08-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

say: Well, about ready for the kids to come back?
say: Hahahahahaha
make circular motions with left hand inward towards chest
Softly hold right hand to mouth, like it’s making what you say louder
Look sideways and rapidly nod you head
Walk slightly hunched forward with right arm loosely bent
Tap your right thigh with the side of your right hand
say: Hee hee hee
Look up slowly, then sharply and quickly look forward
Right hand brushes hair out of face.

good.

action score

2009-08-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

New action score from SPY TIME!

arms loose and flimsy
say: “awesome”
Scratch face with left hand with loosely holding something with right hand.
slow soft wiggle
lean on the ____ with right hand on hip
Put right hand in back pocket and fish around for something.
say: “is that your spot?”
look down, scratch something on chest.
Look at chest
Swagger. Belly protrudes.

good.

the step-by-step of it all

2009-08-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was thinking about this process. What comes first? How does one thing build upon each other? Here's some thoughts:

The process begins with SPY TIME. Spy on people at Banter, write down their actions/text, then make movement scores from that material.
Use those scores to develop a duet for Jose and JP, two men I go to school with. Play with the actions. Insert bold movement within the subtle scores.
Use the material from Jose and JP’s duet as the starting point for the film process for my solo. Film myself doing the scores in front of the brick wall at Banter.
Construct the solo film.
Play off the material from the solo film as the starting point for constructing the solo.

So, each step depends on the one before it, which is neat, because my collaborator, Bethany Nelson, is focusing on interdependency.

awesome. back to spying...

Weekly Research

2009-08-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

This week I'm focusing on a couple books that sounds interesting regarding multimedia installation, site-specific art, and realist comics.

The first is a book by Nick Kaye, called Multimedia: Video Installation Performance. Haven't gotten through all of it yet, but it looks very promising.

I like this (taken from the back cover):

The book sets out key themes and concerns in multi-media practice, addressing Time, Space, the resurgence of ephemerality, liveness, and 'aura.'

Cool!

The second is by Miwon Kwon, titled One Place After Another: Site Specific Art and Locational Identity.

This one just came in the mail TODAY, so more on that soon...

Lastly, referred to from by bro, Robin, were some realist comics by Adrian Tomine. I bought the whole series called 32 Stories.

I've read four of the comics today. They are VERY short and VERY smart. I was interested in how other artists draw from the everyday and what they make from it. I'm also interested in the comic book/graphic novel aesthetic-- kinda gritty, hand-made, raw, real, black and white, sketchy, etc.

SO- that's it for today. Love to hear comments/questions/ideas!

Post- Banter Spy Time

2009-08-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

Went to Banter yesterday to do a little spying and note-taking. Here's a little action score derived from stuff people did or said. mwa ha ha ha...

1. say "so..."
2. shake both hands outward
3. walk sideways and move something out of your way
4. come in- go out
5. lean back and let right arm swing
6. gently pat the air down with right hand
7. say "fancy meeting you here"
8. bend very slightly forward from your waist while keeping your gaze forward
9. nod your head and lick your lips simultaneously
10. point you index finger in the air softly and indirectly

end.

So, even with all these directions, this is just a tiny tiny chunk of movement.

I was also thinking about lights:

red up lamps
red work lights

Also- I'm thinking of what kind of stand the projector could go on that would be reachable by the person that is teching it. A deer stand?

Back from the library

2009-08-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

I went to the library today to get a few books for my culminating project research, but also stumbled upon a dance film series called: 5 Dance Films About Place, directed by Douglas Rosenburg and Allen Kaeja. Most of them take place in rural Wisconsin, "created in in and of the landscape and local architecture and speaks to metaphors of relationship, the senses, and the changing seasons" ( Rosenburg).

The series can also he found online, here.

So- in my endeavors to explore what is already in the landscape of Banter, the cafe I am using as the site for my culminating project, I'm curious if I can see how the Wisconsin landscape affects the movement in these pieces.

What do you think?

Saw some dance films!

2009-07-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

I was at the Museum of Modern Art for a series of short dance films from Sweden. Very cool, minus the technical glitches with the dvd player. Anyway, it was neat to see some films in familiar spaces....like HOUSES! Check some out...

Rewind
Director: Marten Nilsson
Choreographer: Gunilla Heilborn

The next clip discusses the process of one of the films, Insight.

Cool!

Project Banter Dance Film Spectacular

2009-07-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

This post begins a series of many that will document the process of my M.F.A culminating project. My colleague, Bethany, and I are creating a site-specific/dance film/video installation performance THING at a really great, local bar/cafe/coffee shop called Banter, in Denton, TX.

Anyway, right now I have been acting as a research spy-- watching people in Banter, jotting down their actions, things they say, etc.

Like:

"you wouldn't understand"
"put your ass in jail"
bobs head back and forth slowly

SO- with this info generated from the space and the people, I am going to make a movement score for one duet and one solo.

More to come!

If you're in Banter, watch out, something you do might be in my piece!

Secrets...Not For Sale

2009-05-10T08:25:00.001-07:00

An awesome little film by Nicole Touzien. I did the camera work in Mexico!

Souvenir

2009-05-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

A great little film made by friend, Bethany Nelson.

Cracks in the Wall

2009-05-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

New film!

K-Swiss Ad

2009-03-31T05:54:00.000-07:00

Interesting, lively dancing and editing. Post-modern/Hip-hop can make cool commercials? What do you think?

Gallim Dance Company Final w Interview from Andreas von Scheele on Vimeo.

Movement Sketch 4

2009-03-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

Movement Sketch 4 from lily sloan on Vimeo.

Music: Robin Sloan

Dancers/Camera Crew: Crysta Caulkins, Meredith Cook, Anna Dixon, Jordan Fuchs, Amanda Jackson, Bethany Nelson, Lily Sloan,Nicole Touzien,Julie Muvahill, Nadia Losonsky, Jasmine Sargent

Video Editing: Lily Sloan

Movement Sketch 3

2009-02-27T06:09:00.000-08:00

This short was an experiment in detail and repetition.

Thanks Minus Kelvin for the music.

Thanks to all the dancers and camera crew (which were the dancers)

Movement Sketch 3 from lily sloan on Vimeo.

CI Movment Sketch 2

2009-02-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

Music: "Who's There?" by John Osburn
Dancers: Crysta Caulkins, Anna Dixon, Jordan Fuchs, Lily Sloan, Nicole Touzien
Camera: Bethany Nelson
Editing: Lily Sloan

Movement Sketch 2: Who's There? from lily sloan on Vimeo.

New Project

2009-02-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

I am collecting footage from our contact improvisation dance jams that take place every Thursday night. Here is the first one. I don't think I will always have this line-drawn effect. What do you think?

Dance Jams- A Collection of Movement Sketches from lily sloan on Vimeo.

Top Secret Dance Off

2009-01-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

So, I have been thinking a lot about this massively multiplayer game called, Top Secret Dance Off. In short, you make a disguise, complete dance quests and dance offs in your REAL life, post videos, and give other players' videos points. Totally positive. Totally fun. My question is, does this dance matter? What does this kind of social interactivity using dance and the internet mean to the professional dance world? I personally love it and find something very valuable in the sharing of movement with others. What do you think?

Here's a trailer

Find more videos like this on Top Secret Dance Off

FOUND DANCE

2009-01-24T20:14:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the concept of found dance. Where do we see dance sneaking in our everyday lives? How can I document it and display it? Does is matter? I think so...

Dancing with Self

2009-01-24T20:11:00.001-08:00

So...this is from one of the great citizens of dance at Top Secret Dance Off. I love the simplicity. the mirror. the bowtie. the honest, fun, dancing. Way to be Chris!

Find more videos like this on Top Secret Dance Off

Another more random/post modern look at family gatherings.

2008-12-28T20:20:00.001-08:00

Film: Lily Sloan
Music: Lily Sloan

Documerry Xmas

2008-12-26T17:28:00.000-08:00

a little look at the happenings on xmas eve.

filming: Lily Sloan
editing: Lily Sloan
music: Lily Sloan

2008-12-26T11:02:00.000-08:00

Tis the Season

2008-11-24T08:47:00.001-08:00

New Film Idea!

What is your favorite memory from a Holiday in the months of November or December? Please describe it as colorfully as you can in the comments box.

Thanks!

Viral Video or Dance Film?

2008-11-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

I could see this as a study of focus and expression....

A Work in Progress...

2008-11-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Collaborators: Bethany Nelson and Ilana Morgan
Dancers: Lily Sloan and Nicole Touzien

TwinklyCandy vid from YouTube

2008-10-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

With- final cut

2008-10-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

Current Project

2008-09-19T18:21:00.001-07:00

Here is a rough copy of my latest project, "With." It is a collaborative endeavor with John Osburn and Nadia Losonsky.

slow-mo skateboard dance

2008-08-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

I'm loving these 'non-dance' physical acts that have been manipulated and nicely edited into short films. What do you think?

skate - shot on red - 120 fps from opus magnum prod. on Vimeo.

a ring

2008-08-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

I'm liking these super short/body part/ strange noise/ black and white films. I could see them being strung together. Thanks Sarah for answering the multiple choice earlier. Your vote won!

new film!

2008-08-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks Bethany!(as in Bethany Nelson- the film's creator) This is a short film created with footage from vacation in n. carolina, summer 2008. we climbed, we paddled, we played. edited by yours truly. music by elvis costello (of course).

is this a dance film?

2008-08-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

This is a really interesting video, in my opinion. It is edited in a way that reminds me of dance films or short films I have seen. Is there more to this than showcasing the awesome ability of these two guys?...you decide.

Trying to make SHORT films

2008-08-07T19:28:00.001-07:00

This is from some footage I had from awhile back. I am starting to explore very very short dance films.

the next one...

2008-08-07T19:23:00.000-07:00

Please choose one thing you would like to see in the next short film. Place your answer in the comment box.

A. an apple

B. a ring

C. a dog

Look forward to the new, "Lily's YouTube Choice," posted every other week.

a new film

2008-08-06T07:38:00.001-07:00

Here's a film my friend Jen made this summer with the youth dance company that she directs. Go Jen!

Bored at the airport

2008-07-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

My best friend Lauren Brick made this short video while waiting for planes at the airport. Maybe in her eyes it is not a dance film, but I sure think it is!

Ciao Tutti!

2008-07-05T02:09:00.000-07:00

Dance film making is temporarily on hold while I am on holiday (a much better word than vacation) in Italy.

Chi vediamo a presto!

New Ideas

2008-06-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

So, here's the deal. I really don't want this vlog to be a collection of dance films that I want to make. I'd really like the impetus to come from your ideas. So, friend, let's start simply. What would you like to see a dance film about? What kind of mood would it have? What colors would it have? What sound or music would there be? I'd love to hear your ideas, as few or many of them!

Please respond via the comments section.

Thanks!

Bar Danicng

2008-05-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here's the video from the Kinetic Artist's Collective show at Dan's Silverleaf on MAy 15th. This is more of a bonus; it was not really created from viewer submitted content. Enjoy!

Embers Replay

2008-05-24T13:51:00.001-07:00

We just finished a two-week workshop with Jill Sigman and she was kind enough to let me create a short dance film based on the work she is setting at Texas Woman's University.

For next week, start sending in thoughts, images, or footage based on the idea of tearing or being torn. hmm....

P.S the film involving weekend fun with friends is on hiatus. The creator went to Mississippi. BOOOOO!

we are slow...

2008-05-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

Oh no! Wednesday has passed! Where is the video?

Don't worry, it will be here today. Technical Difficulties and such...

This week and next week, we are straying slightly from the plan. Later today, look forward to a delightful dance film shot (no pun intended) in a bar during our show last week as the Kinetic Artists Collective.

On Monday, Look forward to the collaborative project with Jill Sigman, a New York based choreographer who has been the guest artist at TWU the past two weeks.

We will have the next mission up by Monday.

Stay tuned!

CoMiNg SoOn...

2008-05-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

This is a picture sent in for the upcoming video about going out with friends. It will be up by Wednesday!

Last week's video!

2008-05-13T20:56:00.001-07:00

To those who contributed: see is you can find parts of your memory...
Music by Nick Drake
Creators: Jennifer Blankenship, Bethany Nelson, Lily Sloan, Nicole Touzien

The next mission...

2008-05-12T21:25:00.001-07:00

Name or send an image of an object that reminds you of going out on the weekends with your friends. Please submit something wither via comment on this vlog or to makedancehere@gmail.com

The childhood memory video shall be up by tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

Send in your stuff!

2008-05-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's what we do...

I want you to think about one of your favorite childhood memories. Send a color or an image that is that color to makedancehere@gmail.com that reminds you of that memory.

By Monday, check out the vlog and see what's been made.

The first...

2008-05-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

I loved this footage. It's not from this week, but I'm ok with that. Coming soon: an email address so that you viewers can submit footage, artwork, pictures, or ideas of your own. Keep checking in!
P.S the Music is "Star Mile" by Joshua Radin

P.P.S The dancers/camera assistants are: Jennifer Blankenship, Bethany Nelson, and Nicole Touzien.

What this is about...

2008-03-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

This blog is about making dance films. The intent is to make a dance film every week, starting in May, 2008. The films will be created based on the submissions from the viewers/readers/ after the initial Sunday post, where I will get the ball rolling. Stay tuned!