Colette Eloi, Performing Diaspora Artist-Defining my Art

If I were being safe I would say my art form is Haitian Folkloric Dance, then I would expound on it. However this would not be absolutely accurate. I am Haitian blooded African American raised in the United States by Haitian immigrants….”black”. The two cultures are quite distinct yet share a “way”,”taste”, “movement”. This gives me a type of “dual consciousness”.  Haitian Dance has deep roots in Africa.  They are planted in African traditions . The art I create expands on this fact.   I do much work in Haitian folkloric dance and tend to choreograph with an African sensibility, because I feel that African dance fills in the gaps of Haitian folkloric dance in a way to me.   The two are so closely related that there are traditional Haitian dances and rhythms that are named after places and tribes in Africa. This has always been fascinating to me, and I am currently working on getting to Africa to continue my work.  I grew up in America where I took ballet and modern coming up and I am also a child of the old school Hip Hop Generation.  My high school had a Southern style marching band where I played the sax. These elements make up where my art comes from in terms of physicality.  

On a more cerebral tip, I am inspired by art that makes the veiwer feel.  There is also a part of me that believes that I do not have the luxury to make art “just because” but that it needs to have a purpose, tell a story, empower, uplift, inspire thought and conversation.  It is African Diaspora Dance.  The expression of a child of the African Diaspora.  

For the Performing Diaspora Performance I will be working on choreography on the theme of “The Politics of Poverty”.  My desire with this work is to be able to transmit meaning through movement.