“The forecast is unfavorable for migratory flight.”
So begins the poem by Brazilian writer Katia Bandeira de Mello-Gerlach called The Year of the Bird. This imagery-rich poem became the basis of a collaboration between Bandeira and Canadian-born Allison Plamondon, whose dance reviews you can often read on Picture this Post.
This timely exploration of immigration-- by two artists from another country— is the output of a grant both won. Never having met before, they were paired artistically by the grantors. Picture this Post (PTP) caught up with Allison Plamondon (AP) to get more details on their collaboration, which they say has been a very positive experience.
(PTP) Please tell our readers about the grant that led to this performance?
Has this collaboration challenged your choreography in new directions?
I always love to use text as inspiration, but Katia’s poem The Year of the Bird is particularly rich with imagery.
Is performing in the Lincoln Center venue similar or different from other places where you have performed? Does it afford new staging opportunities?
Well, it’s really exciting to be asked to do anything at Lincoln Center! I have performed in “Tap City, The Main Event!” Which was in the Bruno Walter Auditorium (at the library), but this presentation is in more of an informal cafe setting with limited space. That said, I find parameters to be very inspiring and love creating within constraints.
A collaboration between a Canadian and a Brazilian may not be obvious or common (and we are certainly from different climates), but Katia and I are LOVING working together.
When
Friday, May 11, 7 PM
Where
The Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza
Manhattan, New York
Tickets
Free, but advance reservations are recommended. Visit the Lincoln Center Performing Arts Library website.
