The New York Society for Ethical Culture (NYSEC) and Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance (TLD) present SOUND~EARTH~MOTION an evening by NYSEC Eco-Artist-in-Residence Jody Sperling and her Time Lapse Dance ensemble on Saturday, June 1, 2024, with a performance starting at 7 PM followed by a gala at 8 PM. Featured works explore human entanglement with nature and highlight the decade-long climate-engaged collaboration between choreographer Jody Sperling and environmental composer Matthew Burtner. Tickets for the performance start at $20, and tickets for the gala start at $125. Advance sales are encouraged, especially for gala tickets whose supply is limited.
Arbor (2023), which premiered in November, dwells on the intimacy of trees. In voluminous costumes meticulously painted with tree limbs (by textile artist Gina Nagy Burns and costume designer Mary Jo Mecca), the dancers spiral, billow, and encircle one another in gusts of action resembling time-lapses of tree motion. As Karen Hildebrand, writing for Fjord Review, describes the dance: “When [the performers] opened and closed their arms, the effect was of beating insect wings—or the pulse of a growing tree.”
Wind Rose (2019), the ensemble’s signature Loïe Fuller-inspired work, renders changing atmospheric patterns palpable to sight, sound, and touch. “[T]he extent of its power can be hypnotic.” (Erica Digman, World Policy Institute).
The program also includes a rare reprisal of Sperling’s solo Clair de lune (2005), which evokes the shimmer of a moonlit sky. Philip Sandstrom, writing for Dance Insider, called it “a masterful work of resplendent yet restrained evocation of the supernatural.”
All of these works feature transformative costumes that abstract the essence of the human movement into elemental and organic forces, with the dancers variously appearing to conjure a growing forest or hovering storm clouds. The company’s unique style of movement draws inspiration from and furthers the art form created by dance icon Loïe Fuller (1862-1928) a century ago. Lighting is by Bessie-Award-winning designer David Ferri.
Following the performance, gala ticket holders will be treated to an evening of sparkling wine and conversation with the artists, Time Lapse Dance fans, and members of the Ethical NYC community. Light dinner fare will be served at this cocktail-style event.
For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
Time Lapse Dance performers
Jody Sperling, choreographer
Frances Barker
Anika Hunter
Maki Kitahara
Nicole Lemelin
Sarah Tracy
Rathi Varma
MET Orchestra Musicians
Bruno Eicher, violin
Sarah Vonsattel, violin
Kari Jane Docter, cello
