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Celebrating their 25th anniversary year, MillerDANCE continues to create work based on multi-cultural and multi-generational themes. Says Artistic Director Mary Miller, "It is important to me for the audience to see people working together in harmony."
Her latest work, "I Look at You and I See Myself," was inspired by the work of fabric artist Tina Williams Brewer.
Just last year, Brewer was recognized by the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her story quilts weave traditional fabrics with other three dimensional objects, creating layers of art with universal stories.
The two began talk of a collaboration almost two years ago. Miller saw Brewer's work and had the feeling of "moving through the quilt." She didn't want to tell the story that each quilt already told. Rather, she was inspired by her emotions stirred, "emotions that all human beings share."
When Brewer, Miller and composer/musician Charles Hall sat down to discuss ideas for the collaboration, they chose four different emotions as the basis for the piece: fear, grieving, love and joy. They talked about which quilts spoke to those emotions. They shared ideas. They walked away and let the creative process unfold.
Hall began composing and Miller began choreographing. The result? Six dancers (including Miller), Hall performing live music, and four quilts displayed on the stage during the actual performance.
The piece concludes its two weekend run this weekend at SPACE gallery in the downtown cultural district. Shows begin at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25th and Saturday, June 26th. Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.
**The photo of the quilt was taken by Martha Wasik. The photo of Mary Miller was taken by Randy Choura. They were combined by Ruth Deutsch.
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