'First Light'
- 'I want a void, a pause, space, transitions within transitions.'
Concept |
The conceptual aim was to redefine the typical rhythm and structure of a fashion show with a specific thematic intention to address the rapid speed of city dwelling, in order to create the new angle of viewing- a stretched-moment, without linguistic communication, but makes the performance and its audiences connected and communicated.
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The performative concept was inspired by a desire to slow down and be peacefully yet powerfully disruptive to the usual pace of modern city living. In the midst of such fast pace living due to the incessant bombardment of the virtual world and technological advances, I AM created an aesthetically striking concept which asked patience and presence from both audience and performer. In the common commitment to stillness and slowness, performers intimately display their most “in the moment” individual identity as they go from lying down to standing over the course of 3 hours. By the end, when the performers are standing together and facing the same direction, the audience, who are also standing, feel the power of the collective voice and body; they witness the beauty of standing for something together; and they feel the value of allowing time and space for an individual to just be. First Light is about connection. Connecting to the present. Connecting to the self. Connecting to the group. Connecting to new beginnings and opportunities for rebirth.
In additional to the metaphysical and theoretical impulses that the performers work from within the creative process and performance, the tangible transformative power of fashion is revealed through the rising of the body. Each dress is created especially for the performer so when the woman puts on the garment, she feels like the best version of herself. She feels like she is putting on a protective shield and armour which acts as a gateway to unconditional self-confidence. In an era where vanity and technology and the virtual, non-flesh self is generally most obviously revered, we take the time to bring the attention and respect back to the physical self through empowerment. Using fashion and performance and extended duration of attention, we create a moment where a woman’s body and soulful essence are re-united both individually and collectively. Empowerment brings about freedom. Freedom brings about truth. Truth connects us back to ourselves. It’s a beautiful cycle.
In additional to the metaphysical and theoretical impulses that the performers work from within the creative process and performance, the tangible transformative power of fashion is revealed through the rising of the body. Each dress is created especially for the performer so when the woman puts on the garment, she feels like the best version of herself. She feels like she is putting on a protective shield and armour which acts as a gateway to unconditional self-confidence. In an era where vanity and technology and the virtual, non-flesh self is generally most obviously revered, we take the time to bring the attention and respect back to the physical self through empowerment. Using fashion and performance and extended duration of attention, we create a moment where a woman’s body and soulful essence are re-united both individually and collectively. Empowerment brings about freedom. Freedom brings about truth. Truth connects us back to ourselves. It’s a beautiful cycle.
I AM creates a stretched moment of time and focus through live performance.
In doing so, the fashion is seen through stillness and movement and seen as a garment of empowerment as well as a beautiful dress. |
Performance
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In the beginning, as the audience is moving around the space freely, each dancer lies on their own podium. Within the 2-3 hours of performance, dancers take the time to rise and fall, with the end goal being that they each stand in a specific direction by the end of the duration of time. Through eye contact with each other and the audience; through the musical landscape, and by experiencing stillness and time in an extended way, they endure a powerful journey. Internally, they speak to themselves about things that they stand for with the script being “This is what I stand for __________”. The conversations they have within themselves were translated consciously and subconsciously through postures and the entire movement journey.
Setting |
The space should be quite bare without distinct seating so that the audiences are free to walk around the performing space. In this way, they become part of the performance.
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This set up plays with the usual distance between performers and their audiences. By reimagining the relationship and boundary between audience and performer, it lends itself to an experience where everyone is involved in not only the fashion and performance elements, but also, they feel comfortable falling into his or her own stillness.