Dissolve, 2012

4 performers, live cello score, cell phone system, video

Dissolve is a dance with telephony, video, music and text (delivered by cell phone). The audience determines the sequence of movement and music and who is performing.

Our time is one of rapid change and dissolving boundaries. Dissolve affects the boundary between you, the audience, and the performers by requiring your engagement through a communications technology of our lives – cell phones. Audience members call the number in the printed program and are asked to choose one of four threads – Body as World, Body within Borders, Body of Tender Minds or Body of Two Minds – then to choose a performer. These threads express content that is spiritual, political, psychological or biological, and are reflected in the choreographic and video imagery. The video is the only part of the work to play in fixed order; the sequence of dance and music is based on audience selection.

Performed November 17 & 18, 2012
Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre, St. Catharines

Commissioned by Niagara Dance Company as part of the Niagara Region 2012 Culture Capital celebrations supported by Canadian Heritage.

Concept, video, cell phone text, voiceovers, recording and editing: 
Elizabeth Chitty
Choreography: Elizabeth Chitty with dancers
Composer: Mark Steiger
Lighting & costume design: David Vivian
Creative Technologist (phone system design): Gabe Sawhney
Dancers: Emma Kerston, Mary Jo Mullins, Kirsten Sopik
Cellist: Gordon Cleland
Video recording: Duncan Macdonald, Ubu Video Productions
Video Post-production: Berenicci Hershorn, Fagan Media Group

Performance documentation photography: BrainFarm