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Transcendence (Film)

Choreographed by
David Shimotakahara
Composer Olivier Messiaen’s seminal work “Quartet for the End of Time” spoke to me on so many levels. From the music and its structures, I felt there was a way to imagine, through movement, a kind of internal journey: one experienced through the process of dying and involving memory, pivotal moments in time, reconciling the past, and not being trapped by our fate. Like the music, this internal journey seemed not to lead to despair, but away from the abyss towards the possibility of release and transformation. Working in collaboration with cinematographer Kuo-Heng Huang, we have tried to capture imagery and action that lives in the space between consciousness and unconsciousness. And in thinking about the work’s title – that moment of passing from one state to another, of crossing a boundary – what do we find? -David Shimotakahara
  • PREMEIRE:

    February 27, 2022

    The Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus

    CHOREOGRAPHER, DIRECTOR:
    David Shimotakahara


    MUSIC:
    Olivier Messiaen “Quartet for the End of Time” performed by CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra


    CINEMATOGRAPHER, EDITOR:
    Kuo-Heng Huang


    LIGHTING DESIGNER:
    Dennis Dugan


    COSTUME DESIGNER:
    Janet Bolick


    INSTALLATION AND PROJECTION:
    Chuck Karnak


    DANCERS:
    Maddie Hanson, Nicole Hennington, Madison Pineda, Teagan Reed, Victoria Rumzis

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