goldenintersection

“We need to talk, have a seat.” A phrase that is clearly understood by most people: a difficult issue
needs to be discussed, and it will probably be something to process. Dance, which uses language without
words, is probably one of the arts that is harder to understand for the general public. It touches upon a
variety of difficult issues of, for example, society, but translates this into movement instead of words.
To get this message without words, you will probably go through a much longer process of translation
and communication.

As a maker I am very drawn to the subject of equality. Meeting Wendeline Flores, a curator in Caribbean
region and Colonial History of the National Museum of World Cultures, has had a big impact on my view
of transferring this message to an audience. One of her collaboration exhibitions is about the present
of the slavery past, which fits perfect to my current subjects of my art.
Recently my interest grew a lot in exploring how I can communicate difficult subjects relating to my
identity the best to my audience. Having a talk with an inspirational woman, Flores, contributed to the
my conclusion of the essentials of an journey of an artwork: content, form and the power of silence.

Walking through a museum, the content is a very important part of the art. The museum has an
educative role in society. Because of this responsibility, they have to make sure that especially the texts
that are written and other observations that are given are factually correct. I believe as an art maker,
you also have responsibility of the impact from the art you make. Contemporary art is beautiful, because
it gives you the opportunity to fantasize, to fake or to exaggerate. However, all pieces, all concepts and
all experiences are based on a certain truth. Without framing this truth, message or reality first, the rest
of the art piece makes no sense.

Next to that, in dance it is quite important that the piece doesn’t lose abstraction. While in the colonial
legacy, they are always trying to formulate some sort of core message. This is quite difficult and you can
spar for a long time about it. However, in the museum exhibition they also show that here is not one
correct answer. There are many answers by different people on the same questions and that is actually
a quite important point. There should be space left to interpretate. I think this could be possible by
showing more sides of a certain idea, by for example presenting different emotions in the same phrase
of movement. So the audience experiences different feelings and will be more on a journey through the
piece.

This journey of experiences is also determined by the form it is presented in. In a exhibition this is shown
by everything that contributes to the atmosphere and the way you perceive the art. In the colors that
the artist chooses, you can actually also give space to emotions and power. There is also a lot of
attention for the level of the texts that frame the content, for example you can make sure it is readable
for a high school student, so you will have a broad Dutch audience. So it comes down to: which art is
chosen, which object, but also the shape and length. So it's about being able to articulate things
succinctly, so that people are touched and understand it the right way.

Communication without words is also possible. The focus as a maker could possibly lie more in the body
language. Do you want to use tension? Do you use facial expressions? Does the movements involve the
full body? What clothes do you wear? Further, how do you present your work? There are a lot of
possibilities to make the audience sit different in their chairs. Is the light of the audience on? Is it an
interactive performance? Do you make eye contact? Answering these questions, might add extra
context and layer for people to understand and feel more involved.

However, this direct form of presenting could lead to confrontation. A difficult subject can always evoke a lot of emotion and intensity. While, in my opinion, the essence in art lies in what you are going to do
with it. Especially if the visitor is broadened their view and knowledge it is important to bring hope and
connection. We need time to breath. Dance can give a moment of space by allowing nothing to happen.
A lot of times we are so eager to put all of our feelings, skills and information in. In the process, we than
forget that it also needs to arrive at the people. All people have different backgrounds, so not everyone
will react the same way at a piece. Avoiding this, is not necessarily the goal. It could be more beneficial
to give people the time to think, to digest and feel.
The power of silence is in this case very enormous. Because hopefully in between, there is also space
for reflection, which is the most important part of an artwork.

There is no right or wrong in an art piece. It is not about what an art piece should be like. I personally
believe there is something intersection of knowledge, your own truth, form and the audience.
Something golden where you can’t put your finger on. This golden intersection is my goal. And if we
keep on trying, the audience might receive and understand the message in the end.