March 2nd, 2009

Of Our Time

Geoff DiMasi
Founder


I am very thankful that colonial era architecture exists in Philadelphia. The materials, the scale of the rooms, and the original lack of indoor plumbing tell a story. These buildings embody an historical spirit that you can feel when you visit them.

However, I really dislike it when people build facsimile colonial homes today. They lack heart. They tell no story.

Authentic art, design and culture should reflect the time it was created. It should reflect our time. Our situation. Our realities. It should tell the human story of now.

That is why I love the dance company Chunky Move. The video above is of their Mortal Engine piece. I was tipped off to it by a post from Live Arts Fringe and have thought of it frequently since. It is moving, intense, beautiful and it haunts me, but most importantly it is of our time.

It is hard to imagine this piece being made at any other time in our history. Yes, for technical reasons, but also because of it speaks to current issues, our issues. Organic, yet mechanical. Human. Computer. Individual. Swarm. Death, and yet affirmation of life. I don't know, but it hits me in the gut.



Geoff DiMasi
Founder

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