The Brutal Joy unfurls Black line dancing and sartorial expression as intellectual discourse, reverie, and devotion to Black-living. Created by the acclaimed Vancouver-based choreographer Justine A. Chambers, the work is rooted in her childhood memories and is a collaboration with her Black matrilineal heritage. It centers dance and fashion as living counter-archives, and considers how movement and personal style are tools for self-determination and the reclamation of Black humanitarian value.
A dazzling scored improvisation for dance, lighting, and sound, The Brutal Joy draws from the Electric Slide and Black dandyism as embodied knowledge sources for self-actualization in the present through a dance of future possibilities.
Post-show artist talkback February 6
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Justine A. Chambers is Associate Artist with The Dance Centre
Choreography/Performance: Justine A. Chambers
Lighting design/live performance: James Proudfoot
Sound design/live performance: Mauricio Pauly
Created in collaboration with: James Proudfoot, Mauricio Pauly and Vanessa Kwan
Costume: Cassandra Bailey / Old Fashioned Standards
Presented with PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
Photos: Rachel Topham Photography