INTERVIEW: Valerie Green / Dance Entropy envisions new ‘Utopia’
Valerie Green, the celebrated choreographer, has been hard at work trying to answer some big questions involving the theme of utopia. With the help of composer Mark Katsaounis and artist Keren Anavy, the Valerie Green / Dance Entropy company has crafted a new evening-length piece called Utopia that tries to find out whether this sense of paradise is an internal or external construct.
Anavy’s paintings — 10 of them — will be used throughout the piece and adorned on 10-foot pillars. These monoliths will be physical manifestations of this inner utopia, and the dancers will use the pillars and weave themselves in and around the art, all while Katsaounis’ music is playing in the background.
Green has been involved in New York City’s dance world since 1995. Three years after traveling from University of Wisconsin-Madison to the Big Apple, she founded Valerie Green / Dance Entropy. For the past 20 years, she has created nine full-length dances and more than 25 others.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Green about what audiences will experience at Utopia, which will be presented Dec. 13-15 at Danspace Project on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can fans expect from Utopia?
Audience members can expect to be challenged and surprised by Utopia and swept into a visceral experience along with the dancers. The marriage of visual art and dance in this instance is very unique and not something dance-goers would normally see. The work also stimulates one to think about what their own ideas of utopia are after experiencing our exploration of the concept.
How long have you been working on the development of this dance piece?
The work is a collaboration with the visual artist Keren Anavy. The process first started with speaking about the inspirations of her art work and the idea of using 10-foot long pillars. Then I workshopped the concept with students, exploring the use of the pillars and their capacity as objects. Afterwards the concept of utopia and non-existent places was brought into conversation. From here the company of professional dancers came into the process of discovering where utopia resides, while using Anavy’s magnificent artwork/pillars as an extension of this exploration. We have now been developing the work for the past year and a half.
How does the original music influence your choreography?
When working with original music my process is to bring in the composer when the choreography is nearly complete. This way the music is truly created for the work; the composer, Mark Katsaounis, met the challenge by creating an exciting sound score of textures and moods that are as varied as the human experience.
Has your concept of utopia changed throughout the journey of creating this show?
The concept of questioning utopia, as non-existent, but a place that can potentially reside on the inside, has been a constant. My direction in taking the dancers on an individual and collective journey in exploring this place has taken twists and turns over the creation period. I enjoy a long process, so the work has time to reveal itself to me, to be fully explored and flushed through in all possible ways.
Have you accomplished many of the goals you set out to achieve when the company was founded in 1998?
My goals for the company have grown over the years and keep expanding. I am grateful to have my own venue, Green Space, the company’s home in [Long Island City], Queens, which also serves the greater NYC dance community. Dance Entropy has ongoing work in interesting venues, a diverse teaching roster working with underserved communities and international collaborations. I am proud and pleased, yet also always hungry for more!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Valerie Green / Dance Entropy presents Utopia Dec. 13-15 at Danspace Project at 131 E. 10th St. in Manhattan (inside St. Mark’s Church). Click here for more information and tickets.
