DISCO RIOT’S “current”

San Diego, USA - This intimate and innovative dance piece from San Diego’s DISCO RIOT is in two parts that can be found below! From the submission:

“currentis an examination of global systems of oppression, the interconnected nature of environmental and social justice, freedom of movement, and the possibility of embodied expression as a tool for cultivating resilience. Originally, this work was intended for live performance at Art Produce, April 30 – May 2, 2020. However, in response to the COVID19 pandemic and in an effort to stay true to the intention of the project, we are reimagining current as a dance film project in two parts with work by Zaquia Mahler Salinas and grace shinhae jun. These dance films were made with physical distancing measures in place – the dancers performed solo and were overlaid in the editing process, other than in one duet where the dancers were able to be in physical contact. We sought to capture the spirit of the work, and archive this unprecedented global experience in the way we know best – through movement art. We hope that a different kind of closeness can be possible through this film – that we can be with you from afar.”

Choreography: Zaquia Mahler Salinas in collaboration with Lauren Christie, and Jaime Nixon Music: Original sound score by Jonny Tarr Performed by: Lauren Christie, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, and Jaime Nixon Videography & editing: Zaquia Mahler Salinas In English, the word cordon is often used to describe a blockade – restricting access to a place or thing by putting a line of people or objects around or in front of it. A cordon is a tool for limiting movement. But the word cordon is derived from the French word “corde,” meaning rope, string or cord. While roping off an area can create borders, cords can also tie things together.

Choreography: grace shinhae jun in collaboration with Lauren Christie, Anne Gehman, Ian Isles, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, and Jaime Nixon Music: Original sound score by Jonny Tarr Performed by: Lauren Christie, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, and Jaime Nixon Videography & editing: Zaquia Mahler Salinas The impetus for “submerge” came from reflections on how our bodies are affected by oppression and colonization. While some of these are experienced daily, others are hidden. As a call to action, I ask you to see your body as a space to begin a shift, to see these effects on you and others and disrupt them. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to create with Disco Riot, giving me the space to create in a fashion that is a shift from my creative process with my own collective bkSOUL. These artists have been extremely generous, and I hope you enjoy their artistic givings. Deep love and respect for Zaquia for pushing forward and cultivating this space. Dr. grace shinhae jun is a mother, wife, artist, scholar, organizer, and mover who creates and educates on the traditional and unceded territory of the Kumeyaay Nation. A child of Hip Hop culture, she values a movement practice that is infused with historical and contextual education and focuses on community, compassion, and empowerment to encourage rhythm and expression. grace founded and directs bkSOUL, an award-winning performance company that merges together movement, poetry, and live music to center issues of social justice and communities of color through a Hip Hop framework. She has presented her work in Trolley Dances, Live Arts Festival, Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Dumbo Arts Festival, San Diego International Fringe Festival, and at Link’s Hall. grace has choreographed for numerous staged plays, most notably for Will Power’s “The Seven” at Occidental College. grace graduated with honors from UCSD with a BA in History and a BA in Choreography & Dance, received a MFA in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College, and completed her PhD in Drama and Theatre through the joint doctoral program at UCSD/UCI. She continues to research and present her scholarly work on Hip Hop Dance and Culture and teaches at UCSD, San Diego City College, SDSU, and with transcenDANCE Youth Arts Project.