Page 18 - The Noise November 2016

photos by isabelle Dove-robinson
“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — american poet, Mary oliver.
OPIA — Dark sky Aerial performance Art — Dec. 2 and 3
When we create art, we see more. Art allows us to expand our perceptions, expe- rience details, and become true, life participants.
A group of local artists are expanding their presence; connected a myriad of
art forms in a new performance experience called OPIA debuting in early December. Audience participation, unfolding into internal reflection, is the fire fueling the inspiration behind the new, cutting-edge show, oPIA presented by Dark Sky Aerial. this is an independent organization, pending non-profit status, which took root in last year. the project is a dream realized by local aerialists: Abby chan, carrie Gaydos, elisa Venezia, Isabelle Dove-robinson, Joan Garcia, and Nikki Gallant. the scope Dark Sky Aerial’s premiere performance is thought provoking and reflective. oPIA is a contemporary, aerial theater show exploring the boundaries of human potential through movement and art. Funded in-part by the Flagstaff Arts Council, oPIA is a cutting-edge show to be viewed and experienced. Using the uncommon theater venue of an airplane hangar, oPIA will create a theatrical and surreal suspended dimension in which actors, aerial acrobats, contemporary dancers, and stilt-walkers will create a platform for enhanced storytelling. Featuring a blend of performers from Flagstaff Aerial Arts, Canyon Movement Company and Phoenix’s Vertical Fix, oPIA will fuse modern theater with dance, multi-media art, and spoken-word-
poetry.
During oPIA, the audience will not sit in a chair for the duration of the performance as
one might in the traditional experience. rather, the audience will move from stage-to- stage; from vignette-to-vignette. the audience will follow two, leading characters: the Young Spirit (claira Hart) and the Protector (Andres Dre Adauto) as they peer in on their inner lives. each vignette is representative of an element in their lives. the Young Spirit will reflect on her life experience and learn in tandem with the audience. the audience will feel as if they are witnessing her inner emotions.
“oPIA is the dream of six women delving deeper into the heart of performance art. there are so many constructs in this world trying to separate and differentiate us: age, gender, race, religion...the thing which makes all of us human is our emotions. We are bringing our bodies, hearts, and minds together to create a piece to pose unifying, universal questions... and to break-down existing barriers,” said chan, an aerialist for the group.
oPIA features inventively curious aerial apparati including: vertical harness dance, corde lisse (Aerial rope), and Aerial Straps.
Garcia said, “We are creating a giant box — with little windows cut-out for the audience to peer in on the aerialists, but they can only watch with one eye! the windows vary in height and size“, she explained.
oPIA’s unique Aerial box is a curiosity, which will set the mood and tone for the show. the installation is meant to ignite a sense of intrigue for the range of oddities the audience might experience. It will be the first of several interactive experiences. Mood-making characters will guide the audience from place-to-place. the audience will be invited to interact with the performers.
“our goal is for the audience to leave having experienced more than a sit-down show. We want the audience to be transported into a different world and, hopefully, leave feeling as though they have reconnected with their own journeys”, said Garcia.
oPIA will offer an interactive discussion panel, following the performance, in which the audience will be invited to share personal questions and comments with the cast.
Visual Artist, Kayley Quick, will curate a gallery of thematic mixed media artwork to be viewed in the venue entrance. the gallery viewing will happen as the audience sips local signature drinks and savors hors’ d’oeuvres catered by local kitchens.
In the future, Dark Sky Aerial will continue to create performances to bring awareness to the experience of real life. “We are not looking to simply ‘put on a show’ with lights and music. We are working together to inspire change within our community and ourselves”, said chan.
tickets for oPIA begin at $20.00 (discounted rates available) and can be purchased in- advance at darkskyaerial.com. Twenty-percent of proceeds will be donated to the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project.
Event on Dec. 2 and 3 at Wiseman Aviation hangar at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport located at 2650 West Shamrell Boulevard, Flagstaff.
18 • {www.thenoise.us} october 2016 | the best of arizona | the Nöísẽ photos by o.Victor 18 • NoVeMber 2016