Static (11 min. 2007) Arzoo Dance Theatre with choreography and performance by Deepti Gupta, video design by Lester Alfonso, sound design by Matthew Boughner.
On Day 67 of the Upload project, enjoy this documentation of a dance performance Arzoo Dance Theatre, if you dare. The piece is choreographed by Deepti Gupta with a video component that I designed using as many different kinds of TV static I could find. The work I’m asking you to consider in this video would ordinarily be invisible. Imagine the task of interpreting the static staccato of white noise, the rhythmic, and the random clicks and buzzes of Matthew Boughner soundscape. Glitch rock, it’s not. It’s closer to doing visuals for Lou Reed’s speed-freak symphony Metal Machine Music. The “dancers” are all costumed in white but this ain’t no Swan Lake.
Funded in part the Ontario Arts Council and presented at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre by Public Energy, this was an extensive production from something that came from such a humble beginning.
First conceived as a solo kathak performance to a detuned television set for the event Techno-Bondage in 2001, it was remounted six years later with grant money and time to experiment. (Wow, check out that static!) At the time, I was badass serious about this. Just imagine the task before you. Using only TV static, make something, you know, “beautiful.” I can also very easily see someone saying “That’s a load of crap, chap.”
The journey I’ve taken with video projection work has been a long one. I’m constantly developing and improving my practice. I’ll be posting more recent work soon. Thank you, Deepti Gupta, for your generous support over the years. I would not be who I am today without you. Stay tuned for more! —LA
P.S. If you’re liking these daily posts, perhaps you can consider becoming a monthly donor for a year or making a one-time contribution. It would seriously help a lot. Your money goes directly into supporting an artist committed to continually become the best version of himself. Thank you so much! Much love, LA