Art on the Move

Dance, in its ability to move an audience and in its creation of shapes and colors through the movement of a body in space and time, comprises one of the basic notions of art as the world knows it. Unlike painting or sculpture, dance is, at its heart, a temporary expression and a performance art. Sunday afternoon, the two mediums of traditional gallery artwork and dance were combined in the Duke University Museum of Art.

Volunteer tour guides led groups of 20 through the seven different dance interpretations. About 200 people turned out for the event. Associate Professor of the Practice Barbara Dickinson's composition class created and performed four of the pieces; and dance instructor Tyler Walters, Dickinson and dance instructor Ava Vinesett choreographed the other performances.

"I think a lot of choreographers use art as their inspiration...," said Dickinson, who is also director of Duke Dance. "It changes the dance and attracts audiences that might not go to a dance performance. Movement is an excellent way to interpret painting."

The performances, collectively titled, "A Moving Experience," came as part of both the Museum's first Family Day and a continuing celebration of the Ark dance studio's 100th anniversary.

Combining the visual arts proved inspirational to the performers, choreographers and instructors, as well as the audience. Trinity junior John Kim worked with Walters to interpret an untitled installation by Guatemalan artist Dario Escobar. Escobar's exhibit utilized boxes and walls to confine sketches of body organs and a military uniform to convey an anti-war message.