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EXPLORING THE ASIAN COLLECTION

Artistic director Javier Velasco takes inspiration from The San Diego Museum of Art’s world-class Asian art collection to create an evening of evocative dance. “Evocative is the word,” says Velasco. “I’m not trying to simulate Asian dance styles. I want to make something that can exist in harmony with these beautiful pieces.”

Director’s Notes:
I know. I know. What is a Mexican-American artist doing creating works that highlight one of the most renowned collections of Asian Art in the US? Well, when I go to SDMA, the galleries that I feel at most transformed in are… the Asian Galleries. For my own sensibilities, they affect me the most. Now, I don’t suddenly feel as if I am becoming Asian or they are connecting with some past life (a la Shirley MacLaine), but I do feel a palpable physical reaction. Now this isn’t necessarily true with all Asian art. When I go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, I can sit in the Greek sculpture atrium for hours. But at SDMA, it’s the Asian Galleries. So the idea is not to present dances that represent the pieces of art in some version of faux Orientalism. The idea is to present works that COMPLIMENT the pieces. To that end, I have also invited local choreographer Sadie Weinberg to restage her piece RITUAL as part of the presentation. More than anything I hope that the program will capture the energy of a stroll through the gallery. – Javier Velasco