From our BEST Arts of the decade feature:
Here’s the truth: I don’t really know much about dance, but I know about art, and I know what I like. Cynthia Oliver’s choreography and performances are art that I like. They engage with the history of dance in ways that are obvious to me and ways that are not obvious to me because of my limited experience intellectualizing dance. Yet all of her performances are accessible to viewers without dance knowledge, but there are layers upon layers to mine for meaning. Oliver works with members of our community to embody her artwork and present masterful, immersive experiences for her dancers and the audience. There’s music. There are visuals and graphics and singing and language and text. The costuming is incredible. Every single detail is considered equally, and that shows in each and every performance she stages. (Jessica Hammie)
Photo by Valerie Oliveros
