I put away my brushes for a few weeks to help create a conceptual moving installation with choreographer Jenna Pollack and 26 dancers from Hubbard Street’s professional program. University of Chicago housed us for a two week residence at the Logan Center for the Arts.
Audience members were brought up to the 10th floor in small groups on the elevator. They were welcomed by a few of my paintings to set the mood, and then descended down the staircase through the performance.
photos by Peter Hinsdale
Together, with Jenna and Hubbard Street, we collectively reached down into that strange place that creativity comes from to mold this experience. It’s other-worldly yet draws upon many archetypes and metaphors you’ll recognize from your every day life. I hope you watch it and sit for a moment with the feelings it brings to the surface:
A moment from Robyn and Melina’s creation. Photo by Peter Hinsdale
We shared the bill with an amazing collaboration between Robyn Mineko Williams and musician, composer, and designer of wearable art Melina Ausikaitis. If you'd like more information about how the evening came about, or images and videos from Robyn and Melina's collaboration with the Hubbard dancers, click here for a wonderful article from the University of Chicago overviewing the whole process.
The response to the show was overwhelming, with all show times sold out and over 400 people experiencing the installation. A special thank you to Alexandra Wells, Erin Harner and Kelsey Matsch for all their help making this experience possible.