A new film commissioned by the Getty connecting the works of painter Nicolas Poussin with contemporary dance. In efforts to bridge Poussin’s work to today’s viewers and highlight the artistic vitality of LA’s dance community, this series of original dance films by Los Angeles-based choreographers features our very own founding artistic director Ana Maria Alvarez.

The film can be experienced in the Getty exhibition galleries and online to engage a conversation across centuries—exploring the structure and subject matter of Poussin's compositions, challenging his position of cultural authority and radically reclaiming space in an institution that has often felt inaccessible to artists like Alvarez and CONTRA-TIEMPO.

This film was featured at the Getty Museum from February 15th-May 8th 2022.

CREDITS:

Direction and choreographic vision Ana María Alvarez

Cinematography and editing Meena Murugesen

Musical composition, writing and arrangement Anaïs Maviel

Featured artists and improvisors Ana María Alvarez, Bobbie Bell, Dr. Shamell Bell, Jannet Galdamez, Liliana de Leon-Torsiello, Ruby Morales, Jasmine Stanley, Shantel Ureña,  Dr. S. Ama Wray

Youth performers Luca Alvarez-Lowe, Sidney Alvarez-Lowe, Seijani Goodin, Iyannah McClendon

Birds Ana, Bella, Bruno, Roxy, Rudy, Sunshine

Musicians Anaïs Maviel, Rashaan Carter, Aruán Ortiz, Angel Lau, Jaimie Branch, Michael Pallas

Color correction Anastasia Shepherd

Community and production team CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater, Jessica Amaya, Rashaan Carter, Dolores Chavez, Jannet Galdamez, d. Sabela grimes, Vinkya Hunter, Gabriel Ibarra, Jolieba Jackson, Yolanda Keh, Jared Kok, Chan Quach, David Reynoso, Emmanuel Ruffler, Riley Shen, Farah Sosa

press

“…a dialogue that transcended centuries of distance, radically separated by cultural contexts and artistic tools, yet found compelling resonance in their mutual investigations of the distinct emotion and meaning that only dance can elicit.”

Getty Exhibition Brings Together 17th-Century Painting and Contemporary Dance

“…sugar cane is ripped, bitten, and swung about as a meditation on this indulgent substance—echoing themes of vice and virtue, and the pitfalls of bacchanalia that were investigated by Poussin.”

Poussin and the Dance: Contemporary Dance Films

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR CURRENT FUNDERS LISTED BELOW!

 The Binational Arts Residency (BNAR) began in 2015 with the idea of connecting cultural communities in the Sonoran Desert with issues of social justice and identity through art. Over the course of the residency, artists, cultural leaders, and students collaborate to create artistic workshops, performances, and public talks in their communities to build dialogue around social issues. Each BNAR creates an artistic collaboration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Now in its fourth year, BNAR works with communities in: Phoenix (US), Tucson (US), Douglas (US), and Agua Prieta (MX), Hermosillo (MX).

 With that vision in mind, pioneering experiential studio 13Exp has brought together a team of more than 40 leading artists from across entertainment in partnership with River LA on the campaign Rio Reveals.

Rio Reveals is more than a series of shows.

Amidst this new COVID landscape, Rio Reveals is a partnership of non-profit (River LA) and a team of immersive artists (13Exp) to reimagine how we build resources together. Rio Reveals simultaneously creates jobs for artists and a sustainable fundraising resource for the future of the river. This is a partnership that has been born out of this moment: creating an opportunity to reimagine not only WHAT we do together, but HOW we do it.

Choreographer: Ana Maria Alvarez, Jannet Galdamez

Dancers: CONTRA-TIEMPO