Peruvian dancer-performer interprets poetry by César Vallejo, the most intense and innovative Peruvian poet at the turn of the 20th century. Born in a small Andean town, Vallejo lived most of his adult life in Paris during the surrealist movement and travelled through Spain and Russia during the Spanish civil war. A seeker of justice in the deepest humane sense, he became closely involved with the artistic and political movements of his time, equally in touch with his Peruvian roots and his universality.
This piece, created in Peru in 1986, and presented in 1988 at the UNESCO in Paris for the celebration of Vallejo's posthumous birthday, has been seen in France, Spain and Peru. Twenty years later it maintains and gains relevance as the world grows in sorrow and confusion. Vallejo's profetic and humane poetry thus allows it.
Using a hammock, cajon, castanets and voice through a sound effect box manipulated by JB Butler, Luciana freely recreates and dialogues with Vallejo. The title "Me siento con Vallejo" is a play of words which translates both into "I feel with Vallejo" and "I sit with Vallejo." Although presented bilingually, the dynamics and images are enough to carry the spectator through.
"...combining astonishing technique with a fantastic feathered costume she
didn't so much wear as completely inhabit...this is magic realism in dance"
- Merridawn Duckler - Willamette Week
"Skilled performer...visually entrancing...impressive." Jack Anderson - the
New York Times
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
"I enjoyed your show last Sunday. I did
not know you were such an actress." MC
"I thought what you were able to do with the hammock was truly amazing.
It was so ethereal at times and then it was so confining at times. I loved
your dress too! Good job with the lighting, Rio! The shadows on the wall
were pretty cool." JW
"I was delighted and moved by your performance last night.
You turned that little space and that hammock into so many
places and things. It was alchemy. It was so rich that I
couldn't take it all in, so I want to see it again. I
plan to read Vallejo before I do. You are a wonderful
dancer and actress." DU
"your use of that hammock was great." LD
"Man-o-live she did this performance with a hammock (I know, What???!!)
I thought oooooohmigod how is that going to work but it was visually
stunning.... she used it as a swing, shroud, butterfly wings, cocoon,
birthing, cross, womb, sarcauffigus... and with aqua and red, etc, lighting it
was visually just stunning. She is brilliant. She danced, played
percussion, sang, read a Peruvian poet's (1894-1934) touching words in
both Spanish and English and did all this over an entire hour and a half.
Bless her heart." RH
"fabulous! loved your work. admire your vision. superb!" JA
Couplings
Completely. Furthermore, life!
Completely. Furthermore, death!
Completely. Furthermore, everything!
Completely. Furthermore, nothing!
Completely. Furthermore, world!
Completely. Furthermore, dust!
Completely. Furthermore, God!
Completely. Furthermore, no one!
Completely. Furthermore, never!
Completely. Furthermore, always!
Completely. Furthermore, gold!
Completely. Furthermore, smoke!
Completely. Furthermore, tears!
Completely. Furthermore, laughs!
Completely!
César Vallejo, November 9th 1937
(translated by Clayton Eshleman & José Rubia Barcía)
Thursday March 20, 7:30pm
Friday March 21, 7pm
Conduit Dance
918 SW Yamhill, suite 401
Portland
Tickets: $10 and $15
online adds $1 fee
for cash or check purchases: lucianaproano@msn.com
or 503
977 0620
for credit card purchases:
