The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1
Photo by Maria Baranova
The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1 is a critical reflection of the joys and challenges of being a mother and working artist. It is a piece for five dance artists (Ching-I Chang, Caroline Fermin, Cori Kresge, Matilda Sakamoto and me) as well as my toddler and husband and the toddler, newborn and husband of Caroline Fermin who all work together to perform the piece. Devotion is laced throughout the work in how we engage with our children and how we continue to return to the steps we’ve laid out for ourselves.
This piece embraces chaos as choreographic material. Equal parts concept and practicality, it is a demand that I not be forced to choose between motherhood and an art career; that children and the messiness of young life be enfolded into art making. This dance offers one portrait of feminism as my life requires it.
I made this dance to honor this chapter of motherhood/ childhood. It is my love letter to my beautiful child and also to all the loving parents trying to give everything to their children while holding on to an essential part of themselves.
The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1 was developed in part during a Baryshnikov Arts Residency (BAC Open) at Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York, NY in Oct-Nov 2023. In addition, this project is made possible with funds from the Bronx Cultural Visions Fund, a regrant program of the Bronx Council on the Arts. This piece is fleeting and will disappear as the children involved grow and change. Having the support and opportunities to make and share this work quickly has made this joyful and heart-filling experience possible.
June 15th
Riverdale Presbyterian Church Gym, 4765 Henry Hudson Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10471
11am + 5pm
Welcoming note for parents: This is a come-as-you-are performance experience. If your child starts screaming or crying or needs a diaper change during the show, we invite you to stay in the space. They will join the element of chaos in the piece. We will have an area for diaper changes.