Jacob’s Pillow Dance and MASS MoCA will collaborate to present Chunky Move in Connected on March 24 & 25, 2012 in the Hunter Center at MASS MoCA, in North Adams. Chunky Move, based in Melbourne, will be returning to the Berkshires for the first time since their performances at the 2007 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
Connected is a collaborative dance work, with choreography by Chunky Move founder Gideon Obarzanek and an integrated sculpture by California-based visual artist Reuben Margolin. The work animates the physical relationship between eleven dancers and a kinetic sculpture made of wood, recycled plastic, paper, and steel. Constructed in real time during the performance, the sculpture has been described by dance critic Deborah Jowitt as “the most compelling presence onstage.” The work begins with effortless movement and builds in momentum as athletic and agile dancers twist and hurtle through space to a powerful electronic score by Oren Ambarchi and Robin Fix.
Founded in 1995, Chunky Move creates diverse dance works, ranging in site specific, stage, new-media, and installation pieces. Known for producing a distinct yet unpredictable brand of genre-defying dance performance, the company redefines the possibilities of contemporary dance. Chunky Move has performed throughout the U.K., Europe, Asia, and the Americas, including two week-long engagements at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in 2005 and 2007. Succinctly described by ARTS HUB, “Chunky Move has challenged expectations with works that have been innovative, eclectic, physical and bold…The company is Australia’s most successful contemporary dance export.”
As of July 1, 2012, Anouk van Dijk, internationally acclaimed choreographer based in The Netherlands, will commence her role as Chunky Move’s new CEO and Artistic Director. This U.S. Tour is one of the last performances under Gideon Obarzanek’s direction.
MASS MoCA
- 87 Marshall St.; North Adams, MA 01247
- Fall, Winter, Spring Hours: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. closed Tuesday
- Admission: $15 adults; $10 students; $5 children 6–16
- Phone: 413.MoCA.111
- Web: massmoca.org