Ironworks on the Edge
Artistic Director and Choreographer: Amy Yopp Sullivan
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17
"Critical Movement and the Babel Technique (sm)"
The Table Where We Met
African Contemporary Dance Artist, Lacina Coulibaly, is the featured soloist in a new work about unexpected encounters around a table of significance. The ensemble work will be performed by members of the Fall Undergraduate Performance Techniques Class: Felicia Cruz, Carlye Denice, Christopher Estevez, Gabrille Lopez, Juliann Navarra, Jeremy Ng, James No, Carol Paula, Scott Petersen, Melony Rhoden, Noelani Rodriquez, and Shizuka Tokuma. Rehearsals focus on performance skills gleaned from the Babel Technique: Bodymind Training, developed by Sullivan.
Composer in Residence Max Duykers will create the score and Violinist Esther Noh will perform live, with Set and Lighting Design by David Ullman.
When the Hedges Fall
Featuring undergraduate performers Scott Petersen and TayLa Littles, this work is an allegory about unfolding relationships and the curious molting process of a Birdman and a Chickenwoman. The work is set to three sections of Brahm's Requiem and includes a musical prelude by Max Duykers, with Lighting Design by David Ullman.
Ironworks on the Edge is a professional media/performance company in residence at Stony Brook University's Center for Dance, Movement and Somatic Learning, through the research and creative work of Artistic Director and Choreographer Amy Yopp Sullivan. The company is dedicated to exploring movement, dance and physical performance in collaboration with film, media, technology, health, music, theatre, science, medicine and visual art. University students have opportunities to work along side professional artists as performers, interns, research assistants, understudies, stage managers and numerous other roles in supporting and developing creative and imaginative performance that crosses disciplines and explores new multimodal ways of making art and entering into transdisciplinary collaborations.
Mission:
The mission of IronWorks on the Edge is to create a transdisciplinary incubator for education, research and performance. The goal is to uncover new territories that can shape human interface, physical intelligence and body narratives, as they spring from the fields of movement and dance; collaborate with numerous partners in performance, media, science and the arts; and contribute to the needs of humanity in the 21st century. IronWorks values the "leader as educator" (Selznick), "expertise and empathy" (Pagonis), "mobility in crisis" (Collingwood and Kirby) and "the language of sensation" (Starks Smith) with an unflinching commitment to vision and mission.
Previous Works by Sullivan in Collaboration with Performers, Designers, Filmmakers, Media Artists, Composers, Dramaturgs, Poets, Installation Artists, Playwrights, Visual Artists
When the Sea Dies Giants in Small, Shallow Pools When the Sea Dies
Emigrant/Immigrant Fabrics: The Aroma of Life
Fabrics: The Aroma of Life Slip, Slide and a Couple of Kicks
SISU Stages, Levels and Seasons
Emigrant/Immigrant Emigrant/Immigrant
SISU SISU
Variations on Godot Giants in Small, Shallow Pools (still from film)
Fabrics: The Aroma of Life SeaBourne (still from film)
Seabourne (shot on site) Giants in Small, Shallow Pools
Seabourne photos by Vivian Jung and Dali Jung
Sensorium (at the opening of Erasing Borders 2011 , an exhibition of the Indian diaspora in painting, prints, installations, video and sculpture at the Charles B. Wang Center, Stony Brook University)
April 26, 2011 6:30pm Photos by Hui Liu
Reviews and Press: Sullivan's Creative Works:
- “...four provocative and engaging explorations of the human experience that will leave you at once stunned by their power and moved by the inherent hopefulness...” (PortFolio)
- “...presenting new work in a way I find entertaining and exciting and intellectually stimulating - and beautiful.” (Henry Korn, interviewed in Times-Beacon Record)
- “Invigorating the dance world with meaning” (The New York Times)
- "Such a unique performance. Very enjoyable. Such plasticity. Wonderful dance.” (Channel 011, Mexico City, Teatro de la Danza)
- “Movement not only beautiful to watch - but also provocative to ponder - it’s powerful and engaging.” (Dan’s Papers, East Hampton)
- “SISU... is the one piece that had the audience talking afterwards...” (The Statesman)
- “...a remarkable job of conveying how it must feel to be an immigrant...the dancers took on form and coherence...perfectly complemented by the music...” (The New York Times)
- “Ingeniously crafted, Ms. Sullivan’s choreography weaves a complex tapestry of a very physical dance technique with theatrical elements.” (PortFolio)
- “SISU... was probably my favorite....The seven obviously thirsty dancers, struggled with their attraction and their fear to reach the bowl of water, picking a perilous footing as the piano notes tumbled about like water flowing around stepping stones.” (The Port Times Record)
- “Origins and Destinies - leaders of dance and dialogue” (The Three Village Herald)
- “One figure resembles a positive force, the other negative. While one attracts, the other repulses. The conversation is violent, brutal and merciless, yet skilled, adroit and defined. While these forces coalesce and create one energy, they begin to infiltrate on the peace of mind, strength and resilience of the remaining figure. Their juxtaposition reminds us of the struggle we each endure as human beings.” (The Three Village Herald)
- “Creativity and imagination are prerequisites for attendance. The performances are abstract, yet invigorating and inviting....both original masterpieces...” (The Three Village Herald)
