DIRECTOR, PRODUCE. | 2014 | with NEW ARTICULATIONS DANCE THEATRE
A dance film celebrating the plants and animals of the Santa Rita Mountains of Southern Arizona, and its nearby riparian areas, featuring movement meditations of over 20 species – from Coleman’s Coralroot Orchid to Filamentous Algae, Desert Tortoise to Jaguar – performed on-site by dancers.
The project was born in response to the construction of Rosemont Mine, an open-pit copper mine proposed by a Canadian mining company. If built, the mine would impact over 4,000 acres of land in Southern Arizona, including critical habitat for nearly a dozen species federally recognized as threatened or endangered as well as precious riparian areas and groundwater resources. By “replacing” plants and animals with human beings in reverential and playful ways, the film invites us to consider our role as both stewards and consumers of nature.
The video was project of NEW ARTiculations Dance Theatre in collaboration with visual artist Ben Johnson, who filmed and edited it. An original musical score was composed by Vicki Brown and David Sudak.
Learn more about the project and view the full 18 min. video here