A DRESS MADE OF LIGHT :: blanca

For years I have had this image of creating a dance costume made of lights. I didn't know when or how but I knew I was going to do it. There was a purpose greater than simply creating such eccentric piece of costuming, though at the time I didn't know what it was. They say that our psyche is ahead of us.

The opportunity first came last year, when I was to represent Aquarius at Sherene's show "Zodiac Bellydance".

As you know, Aquarius rules electricity and loves being eccentric and a bit of a mad scientist, so I quickly set up my lab at home and planned how I would do the whole thing, which manifested pretty quickly. I love the idea of a person being able to plug herself onto electricity and self-sufficiently being able to light the stage, which is also a very aquarian attitude.

The idea evolved further as I worked with CollexArts on our show "Discordia 4.5". The piece became a two-part story: "Sway / Perfect Citizen".

"Sway" starts as a dark creature slowly and seductively crawls towards a white dancer who lies lifeless out in the distance. For the dark creature I used snake-like movements combined with sharp, insect-like moves and a spider-like crawl that creeps very close to the ground. Carefully, the dark creature gets close to her victim, the white dancer, and puts a spell on her, waking her from her sleep. The white dancer responds to the dark creature's commands and with her help she increasingly is able to dance, apparently becoming freer and happier... until the creature stops her in her tracks. Without the dark creature's help, the white dancer collapses. The dark creature approaches her, aiming to steal her life but the white dancer reacts and is able to stop her. The dark creature loses interest and leaves.

Shaken, the white dancer seeks refuge elsewhere, feeling vulnerable and betrayed. From the same place where the dark creature came, a savior appears. She provides comfort and reassurance and gives the white dancer strength to get up on her feet again... but this strength is once again false, she is being moved like a puppet. The piece ends as we see the white dancer collapsing when her new savior abandons her.

"Perfect Citizen" begins in darkness as we read:

"I was quite busy learning the secrets of the Universe
Building an enterprise
Telling people what to do with their lives
Being the perfect citizen
A responsible adult
Being the perfect citizen
Before I even reached nine

The task in front is now to grow up and be a child
... or is it a clown?

I've carried everyone's pain for much too long
I stared at your judging eyes till they felt like home

I say I'm done"

Then we see the dark creature's transformation. Her movements now seem more desperate than creepy... then they seem tired and longing. She stands up and slowly sheds her old skin. As she begins walking back a white skirt appears, floating in midair, reminding us of the white dancer. The dark creature has shed her dark skin and from below gets inside the white skirt as the music intensifies. As she is wearing the skirt she holds an electrical plug and outlet... then there's a blackout.

When the sweet music returns, she lights herself with a dress made of stars... realizing that she doesn't have to manipulate or put others down to have power... she can shine with her own light.

The dark creature is a symbol of that part of ourselves that craves control over our innocent, child-like nature and constantly puts her down through criticizing her, condemning any attempt at creativity, putting her down if she tries to be different. The dark creature is that part that makes you feel that your ideas are silly, that there's no time for play or innocence... it's that part that beats you up mercilessly when you make a "mistake" and it's also that part of us that criticizes others... for when we condemn others we are decreasing our own room for error.

photos: Kevin Fox www.weclick.com