INTERVIEW: ‘Emerged Nation’ documents a transformed nation
Photo: Elisa Monte Dance will present Emerged Nation at The Flea Theater. Photo courtesy of Tony Turner / Provided by GOGO PR with permission.
Elisa Monte Dance is ready for its 39th season, and this time they are staging the world premiere of Emerged Nation, a three-part choreographic work that documents a country in transformation. The company, now headed by artistic director Tiffany Rea-Fisher, will play New York City’s The Flea Theater Nov. 21-24.
Emerged Nation will feature an opening sequence known as Tilted Arc, which was originally commissioned in 2017 by the New York Department of Transportation. The piece references the famous sculpture of the same name by Richard Serra. Eight dancers explore this controversial piece of art, which was removed from its position in 1989, all the while focusing on the themes of immigration, longing and separation.
The second movement is also named Emerged Nation, and this part looks at Black and Native American culture. Tribal and electronic music combine for a unique sound, according to press notes. The choreographic work then ends with a final movement dubbed Kinetic Kinship, which celebrates the diversity of New York City.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Rea-Fisher about the world premiere. She took over the company after Monte’s retirement in 2016. Previously, Rea-Fisher served as principal dancer with Elisa Monte Dance from 2004 to 2010. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What inspired the creation of Emerged Nation?
Emerged Nation was inspired by the global migration of people, our shared commonalities despite our diverse backgrounds as well as how much I love New York. The first movement in this work deals with immigration; the second pays homage to our nation’s native people and explores their crossover with Black culture, while the third movement is a statement about how all that came before results in this crazy, beautiful place we call New York City. Original music was created for the second and third movements, and I am as excited about the music as I am the movement.
The first part of the show features Tilted Arc, which references the sculpture by Richard Serra. How did this dance piece come to life?
This piece was originally commissioned by NYC’s Department of Transportation (DOT), and it was my first major commission. The idea came to me because the DOT was asking that choreographers submit proposals that have some connection to 26 Federal Plaza, now known as the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building. While researching the history of this space, I stumbled upon the sculpture Tilted Arc, and down the rabbit hole I went. The sculpture had such an amazing history that any other ideas I had fell to the wayside.
It was a hotly debated public piece of art that at the end was taken down and dismantled because of the idea of it being an obstruction to the pathway. Once I saw pictures of the work and read about the reasons why people wanted it taken down, I drew parallels to the experience of refugees and immigrants in our country. Those who come here with the feeling that anything can be created from this space, but then encountering obstructions to their paths. This work traces the shape and spirit of that sculpture.
Does choreographing a piece like Emerged Nation help you and the dancers process these difficult societal and political times?
I am a Black woman in America so honestly, these times don’t feel much different than other times. I don’t allow politicians to steal my joy or dictate my art. People go to the theater to escape, so I am not interested in recreating the hardship of reality during my shows. Times are rough, but times have always been rough. I like to find the joy, connection and communal aspect within each project. I think those are the feelings that can help us process things.
How is the HP Reveal App part of the experience of watching this dance piece?
I love for the audience to feel like they are a part of the work, so in between movements we will be using the app to give the audience more context into my creative process. EMD has always prided itself on pushing boundaries, and I thought that including augmented reality during interludes would be a fun and interesting way to connect ideas that may at first seem very different, but all had a part to play in the creation of this piece.
When you add a dancer to the company, what qualities are you looking for? What makes a good addition to Elisa Monte Dance?
I look for 360-degree human beings. Meaning I want them to be interested in the world around them. I tend to choose people that are not fear-based and care about the next generation of dancers because education is a big part of my mission. I like to challenge myself and the dancers to be the best version of our selves daily, which is not always easy. Outside of that I look for real technicians that love the art form.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Elisa Monte Dance will present Emerged Nation Nov. 21-24 at The Flea Theater in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.
