This month, Ragamala's Choreographic Associate Ashwini Ramaswamy and Co-Artistic Directors Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy focus on exploration, both collaboratively and geographically, in the creation of new work.
From Ashwini Ramaswamy, choreographic associate/dancer:
I am thrilled to announce that I will be the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's Liquid Music Series' Artist in Virtual Residence for the 2017-18 season! Liquid Music's trendsetting virtual residency program will track the artistic process of my work with New York-based composer/DJ/author Jace Clayton as we develop an original work slated to premiere in 2019.
As a dancer/choreographer interested in the nuances within artistic and cultural hybridity, I am very excited to work with Jace, who dexterously defies categorization. To me, this project is akin to a Rubik's Cube with myriad possibilities and no absolute solution.
I initially conceived the project after reading Speak, Memory, the nonlinear memoir by Vladimir Nabokov (whose art and life were heavily shaped by his transnational existence). Like a phantom limb, my Indian ancestry is a lingering presence that I carry with me - informing my artistic work and daily interactions - and sparking my interest in the specter of cultural memories throughout society.
Among many splendid artists on the season are Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), TU Dance/Uri Sands, and Vijay Iyer. I can't wait to get started this summer!
From Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy, Co-Artistic Directors:
Next week we depart for Bellagio, Italy for a Rockefellar Foundation residency to begin work on our large-scale project, Sacred Fire: Bone Within Ash (premiering in the 2019-20). While we are always together - brainstorming ideas and creating work-uninterrupted time for research and rumination is a rare gift. This month-long creative residency will allow us not only that time and an inspirational setting , but also the opportunity to engage with illustrious scholars and artists from around the world. We look forward to sharing insights from our time in Bellagio!
Left to right - Aparna and Ranee working in Chennai, India (May 2016)