“DESCENT models a truth rarely understood among dance audiences: Disability does not signify incompleteness. In fact, it offers novel pathways to several movement styles, each of them whole and generative of unique choreographic forms.” —Kevin Gotkin, Dance Magazine
Kinetic Light’s DESCENT re-centers ideas of physicality. A collaboration between choreographers/performers, thought leaders, and disability activists Alice Sheppard and Laurel Lawson, the virtuosic duet is performed on an elaborate structure of slopes, peaks, and curves. This meditative thrill ride through a queer, interracial love story is inspired by Rodin’s sculpture Toilet of Venus and Andromeda. Collaborator Michael Maag’s video and lighting projections bathe the stage with starry skies, sun-dappled water, and sculptural figures, while the transportive soundscape unfolds like an epic poem.
The presentation features a special postshow artist conversation. This exclusive online world premiere caps off the groundbreaking, weeklong virtual residency with Kinetic Light that includes workshops, a disability arts film evening (curated by Sheppard), and curatorial conversations with the artists. The residency and related programming were reimagined in a digital form due to the global pandemic.
Copresented by Northrop, University of Minnesota.
Accessibility
The online performance will be audio described.
The Artist Conversation will include ASL interpretation and captioning.
How to View
$18.50 ($13.50 Walker members) per household
Tickets are available to purchase via Northrop’s website. Walker members receive a discount; check your email inbox for a special promo code. Discounts are available online only. For more information, contact orders@walkerart.org or call 612-375-7600 x2.
View the online world premiere Thursday, December 3 at 8 pm, including a postshow Artist Conversation. The performance and talk are available through Saturday, December 5 at 12 midnight.
Related Online Events
Short Films featuring Revel In Your Body
Monday, November 30, 6:30 pm
Free, registration recommended
Available for viewing online, this selection of short films curated by Alice Sheppard (with assistance from curator Michael Walsh in the Walker’s Moving Image department) is focused on arts and disability. Featured in the program is Kinetic Light’s own riveting Revel In Your Body, which captures the artists’ stunning choreography in slow motion to reveal the joy of flight on wheels. The program also features three short films from the Walker’s Ruben/Bentson Moving Image Collection.
Featured films include: Revel In Your Body (Katherine Helen Fisher and choreographed by Alice Sheppard with Laural Lawson, 2019), Making Where Good Souls Fear (Dahkil Hausif, 2020), Wisp, the ground sighs (Kinetic Light, 2020), Valentin de las Sierras (Bruce Baillie. 1968), Human Radio (Miranda Pennell), and Trio A (Yvonne Rainer, 1978).
To find out more about each film click here.
Accessibility: audio description & captions for Revel In Your Body, Making Where Good Souls Fear, Wisp, the ground sighs, Human Radio, Valentin de la Sierras, and Trio A; ASL for Making Where Good Souls Fear.
Disability Aesthetics for Design in Performance
Wednesday, December 2, 3–4:15 pm
Free, registration recommended
Join in a conversation about disability aesthetics and design for performance. Learn about Kinetic Light’s work in production, projection, movement, and software design with Kinetic Light members Laurel Lawson (choreographic collaborator, dancer, designer, and engineer) and Michael Maag (production, lighting, and projection designer).
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