Healing Through Dance: Inside Gaspard&Dancers’ “Trilogy”
In 2010 the small island nation of Haiti saw one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory when they were ravaged by an earthquake of a 7.0 magnitude. Now, 5 years later one artist is offering his personal response to the devastation of his home nation with a moving dance tribute. Gaspard Louis, a native of Haiti and former dancer of the renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatpany in 2009. re for 10 years, started his own company in 2009. Comprised of three dance pieces, his latest piece, “Trilogy” tells the story of a community visited by disaster and their journey of healing and rebuilding.
Gaspard Louis explains the piece in his own words.
“The trilogy was my own personal response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. I created ‘Souke’ – shake , which is the first piece of the ‘Trilogy’ after I interviewed Jean Leon Destine , whom I like to refer to as the ‘father of Haitian.’ At the time of the interview I was working on my MFA and the interview was my thesis , which was the piece ‘Souke’ – shake referencing the earthquake. This piece demonstrates the strength and resiliency of the Haitian people. It also shows how when we all come together for a common cause we can do anything. The Haitians did not have big fancy machines to dig the bodies from underneath the rubble, that did not stop them from using their bare hands to help their fellow citizens.
“‘Annatations’ – made up word – came from the word ‘natation’, as in to swing across to the other side. This title was actually coined by my friend and supporter David Liu, who I refer to as Gaspard&Dancers’ philosopher in residence. This piece is about the 300,000 souls who were perished from this natural disaster. These souls found themselves in the realm of purgatory, having to undergo a final cleansing process before they move to their final destination.
“L’Esprit “- the Spirit – is about a town that is brought to life again. They realize that life must go on.”
“Trilogy” plays this Friday and Saturday, September 25th and 26th at 7:30pm. Enjoy the video below and book your seats for this stirring work of dance.
Gaspard&DAncers’ “Trilogy”; Friday and Saturday, September 25th and 26th at 7:30pm; All Seats $29; Schimmel Center at Pace University; 3 Spruce St, New York, NY 10038;(212) 346-1715
