Thirteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society

Abstract

Site-specific choreographers push the boundaries of art by stepping out of the proverbial box of conventional theatres and creating dance works in a multitude of sites. These works can physicalize the sites by highlighting formal properties, inscribe or reveal new meanings, narratives and histories, reclaim public space, and educate and mobilize a community around social, political, or environmental issues. In recent years, some cities have been engaging and/or funding more site dance artist to create in urban environments, particularly in connection with urban renewal and development and tourism. One such artist, site dance choreographer Sally Jacques, Artistic Director of Blue Lapis Light, a site-specific aerial dance company in Austin, Texas, focuses on exploring the intersection of dance and the downtown architecture. Another site artist, Martha Bowers, artistic director of Dance Theatre Etcetera, collaborates with the Red Hook, Brooklyn community to create cultural site dance events that integrate with urban renewal efforts in this waterfront neighborhood. Through personal interviews and literature review I will investigate how the work of these two dance artists intersects with urban renewal and development and tourism, and illustrate the impact site dance can have in attracting audiences, developing community and bringing focus to urban areas.