New Project: 29 Subversive Gestures Theory-Choreography Loop

We've decided to embark on a new project!  We're planning to rework 29 Subversive Gestures, the solo that Shyamala created on Cynthia investigating gender and Indian classical dance, which was performed at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, CA in August 2012.  Our plan is to revise the work in dialogue with Sandra as part of a praxis-based article to be written by Sandra and Cynthia to submit to an academic anthology on queer dance.  As part of this process, we're planning to establish a feedback loop between the three of us whereby where in-process choreography is analyzed, and theoretical engagement in return affects choreography.  The process thus combines long-distance and in-person collaboration, as well as dynamically moving between theory and choreography.  Following is an excerpt from our paper abstract:

"Cross-gesturing Meets Abhinaya: Subverting Gender in 29 Subversive Gestures

This praxis-based article intersects theoretical and choreographic research on performing gender non-conformity in the context of South Asian contemporary dance. It will expand upon our earlier theorizations regarding South Asian tactics for performing queerness, which examined cross-overs between the performance strategies of identity-based autobiography and the South Asian technique of abhinaya. Establishing a feedback circle where choreography-in-the-making is analyzed, and theoretical engagement in return affects choreography, we will chart the creation of our in-progress solo, 29 Subversive Gestures....The piece translates aspects of San Francisco-based dance-theater artist Joe Goode’s seminal, queer postmodern dance-work, 29 Effeminate Gestures (1987), for the context of Indian classical dance. We find resonances between David Gere’s theorization of cross-gesturing, heroic effeminacy, and camp in 29 Effeminate Gestures and abhinaya’s techniques for a solo performer to fluidly switch between genders."  

-Sandra Chatterjee and Cynthia Ling Lee 

  

Here is a working timeline of assignments that we've created:

• Thurs. Nov 29: All give general feedback on 29 Subversive Gestures
• Mon. Dec 3:
• All read David Gere's “29 Effeminate Gestures: Choreographer Joe Goode and the Heroism of Effeminacy” and Purnima Shah's “Transcending Gender in the Performance of Kathak”
• Give feedback through theoretical lens: Sandra will concentrate on the work itself, Cyn and Shy can also consider autobiographical more heavily.  
• Each come up with a few ideas about a choreographic assignment.  
• Sat. Dec 8: Shy generates assignment based on everyone’s ideas

• Dec 18: Sandra and Babli finalize Theory Assignment 3 (Sandra will decide on Butler, propose Vanita possibility, Cyn will upload Hari’s article) - Make sure Babli has all videos/articles before leaving to India!
• Dec 20:
• Babli gives feedback on Dec 14 study
• All read Theory Assignment 2: Avanthi Meduri on “Improvisation in BN Abhinaya” and Ramsay Burt’s “The Performance of Unmarked Masculinity”
• All write responses to these articles
• All come up with ideas for choreographic assignment based on readings
• Dec 24: Shy generates Choreography Assignment 2 based on everyone’s ideas
• Jan 3: Shy and Cyn upload study and feedback ?s for Choreography Assignment 2 to blog
• Jan 5: Sandra gives feedback on Choreography Assignment 2
• Jan 6: Theory Assignment 3
• All read Hari Krishnan's "From Gynemimesis to Hypermasculinity: The Shifting Orientations of Male Performers of South Indian Court Dance," Vasu Reddy's interview of Judith Butler, "Troubling Genders, Subverting Identities," and Butler's writing on drag from Gender Trouble
• write responses
• come up with ideas for choreographic assignment based on readings
• Jan 7: Shy generates Choreographic Assignment 3 based on everyone’s ideas
• Jan 11: Shy and Cyn post Choreo Assignment 3 on blog
• Jan 13: Babli gives feedback for Assignment 3; all 3 brainstorm possible overall choreographic structures
• Jan 14: Shy and Cyn start working on Choreographic Assignment 4: to combine material from 1-3
• early Jan: bug David Gere about possible involvement
• Jan 17:
• Shy and Cyn upload choreographic Assignment 4 to blog
• Sandra and Cyn start formulating final paper structure
• Feb 12: finish paper
• FEB 15: submit full paper

Cyn, Shy, and Sandra will continue feedback loop and “finish” the choreography by April.