The Alliance sends un grand merci! to all of the performers, technicians, partners, and guests who made Small is More possible!
An ambitious project from the beginning, the Alliance is prouder than ever to have been able to welcome such a creative, daring group of artists as a part of our spring cultural season. This festival proved to be a true opportunity to present a distinctive collection of perspectives and interpretations rarely welcomed on the D.C. performing arts scene.
The Soeurs Martin set the tone with a dinner-conference at the Fairfax hotel that was an alphabet soup of creativity. Their powerpoint-inspired video conjured up nostalgic cinematic memories with clips of old black and white films and Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russel in all their red-sequined vibrancy. Each term – alternatively mysterious and ingenious – opened new lines of curiousity and amusement with double entendres and underlying messages illustrated by the image of the food in front of the spectators, dancers brought up on stage from the audience, and even suggestively patterned lacework.
Florence Minder took each step in stride during her one-woman performance. Her exploration of the grief cycle was anything but dreary and filled the Dome at Artisphere with the laughter of guests nodding along in utter empathy with each phase of her journey.
Compagnie Oh My God! performs "It's So Nice."
Compagnie Oh My God! brough Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart into a superimposed, hybrid reality as the artists assumed the characters of both women, following each queen’s ascension and decline. The most evocative segment of their equally in-tune and at-odds relationship was evidenced in the expression of the performers, women, cousins and queens merging in a modern dance-like piece during which they remain attached like Siamese twins, first at the hip, then the hand, then the head - giving the image of innumberable bodies merging into one, only to come out on some newer side of comprehension – and in the other’s clothes…
Finally, over the weekend as part of two additional events, Visio Disco and Lumen8 Anacostia, t.r.a.n.s.i.t.s.c.a.p.e invited countless viewers to look into their worlds through giant bubbles. More than barriers, these tank sized plastic spheres offered a window into different stories from across the globe as the performers interacted, danced and wrote messages to their audiences on the walls of each little pocket of reality.
Small is More is an event that brought together more than performing arts troupes. Rather it united a variety of individuals – students, young professionals, artists, businesspeople, and even children – in the name of an exchange of stories, cultures, and ideas.
To all of these participants, we again say thank you. And until next time!
