MAR 22-25, THU-SUN
Empathy defines humanity. Drawing inspiration from the French Existentialist novel L’Etranger (The Stranger) by Albert Camus, indifference explores empathy, and lack there of, in society as it loosely follows the story’s protagonist Meursault, whose humanity is expressed in the unbearable heat of the day. The scorching sun penetrates his body, consuming his rational mind, and in a single moment he squeezes the trigger at close range, terminating another’s life. Examining the absurd psychological cul-de-sac that is modernity, Townsend’s piece explores and deconstructs the existential dilemmas of Camus’ character, delivering a moving commentary on cruelty, remorse and indifference, the perils of free will, and the societal burdens imposed on cultural outsiders — strangers.
Lisa Townsend investigates with movers Christine Bonansea, Patrick Cashman, Brenton Cheng, Eric Garcia, and Erin Mei-Ling Stuart at her side. Live music by Michael Bello (sax), Piro Patton (bass) & Dave Mihaly (drums) and video by Piro Patton further enliven the scene.
Lisa Townsend Company performs experimental contemporary dance that draws on raw physicality, intimate gesture, and a theatrical sensibility. LTCo has been presented in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Europe. LTCo has co-produced evenings at L.A.C.E., L.A.’s Downtown Playhouse, ODC Theater and for two seasons at Joyce SoHo in NYC. They have received support from Meet the Composer, Marin Arts Council, Theater Bay Area CA$H, Zellerbach Family Foundation, as a resident company at ODC Theater and Creative Capital Fellow at Headlands Center for the Arts. “As a choreographer, I look for moments of resonance between bodies, the expression of ideas through gesture and intimate touch, testing the limits of trust. In collaboration with visual and theatrical artists, writers and composers, we are committed to creating innovative, timely and meaningful work.”
DA: You mention that indifference is based on Albert Camus’ The Stranger. How did you decide to use this novel as inspiration for your performance? LTCo: As a reflection on the absurdity of free will, indifference questions the troubling impenitence experienced by Camus’ protagonist, Meursault. What if free will, which we hold so dear as a marker of individual freedom, […]
Please watch a teaser excerpt from indifference, created by Piro Patton, Patric Cashman, Eric Garcia, & me. The use of positive and negative space speaks to the duality of human nature. Click on the link below.
Hello Everyone, Right now my shared winter residency at CounterPULSE is in full swing and my performers & I are feeling really good about where we are in the process of creating this piece. We’ve been working & playing hard in the studio making relevant material and out on the streets & beach shooting video […]
VIDEO #3 – Waves I had the whole sky in my eyes and it was blue and gold.