Tangled: STAGE FOR ALL
Tangled: Stage for all is a large scale multimedia event/installation that incorporates memories, images, and ideas of Southwest Detroit, developed and curated in close partnership with local artists, residents and SMTD students in this tangled and evocative transitional space. This project was made possible by University of Michigan MCubed grant received by Paul Draus (Sociology, University of Michigan Dearborn) and Tzveta Kassabova (SMTD), and was developed in partnership with Bridging Communities and Motor City Street Dance Academy. The event was a part of Detroit Month of Design 2020.
The durational performance was centered around building a 32 foot circular stage from partly recycled materials. We offer this platform to the residents of Southwest Detroit. The stage is envisioned as a public space to celebrate and honor the culture, talent, and creativity of the community and open for everybody to use.
Despite Covid-19, we managed to create a socially distanced live performance that incorporated dancers and local artists. To create awareness of this show, we started by creating a tunnel of oversized miles of bright colored ribbons the month prior to the show. This served as a way to showcase the previously unused space and draw the community to the event. The space was further decorated with a 30x15 ft mural and the floral pattern of our stage. Tangled fits well into Bridging Communities long term project of connecting the existing parks around the neighborhood by bringing awareness to this overlooked transitional land.
We worked with 10 performers from Motor City Street Dance Academy and 10 acting majors from SMTD who collaborated on developing of the movement material, working with objects, task oriented improvisational structures and exploring the physicality of construction work. Our goal was to bridge the communities in Southwest Detroit with our SMTD students to broaden perspectives, support collaboration, and create opportunities for both communities to perform. Another beautiful collaboration occurred between Niki White an Interarts student and Demacio Soto a Detroit based visual artist who created the mural and the stage design.
I am excited to develop future projects in Southwest Detroit and to further partner with Bridging Communities.
Tangled: Stage for all is a large scale multimedia event/installation that incorporates memories, images, and ideas of Southwest Detroit, developed and curated in close partnership with local artists, residents and SMTD students in this tangled and evocative transitional space. This project was made possible by University of Michigan MCubed grant received by Paul Draus (Sociology, University of Michigan Dearborn) and Tzveta Kassabova (SMTD), and was developed in partnership with Bridging Communities and Motor City Street Dance Academy. The event was a part of Detroit Month of Design 2020.
The durational performance was centered around building a 32 foot circular stage from partly recycled materials. We offer this platform to the residents of Southwest Detroit. The stage is envisioned as a public space to celebrate and honor the culture, talent, and creativity of the community and open for everybody to use.
Despite Covid-19, we managed to create a socially distanced live performance that incorporated dancers and local artists. To create awareness of this show, we started by creating a tunnel of oversized miles of bright colored ribbons the month prior to the show. This served as a way to showcase the previously unused space and draw the community to the event. The space was further decorated with a 30x15 ft mural and the floral pattern of our stage. Tangled fits well into Bridging Communities long term project of connecting the existing parks around the neighborhood by bringing awareness to this overlooked transitional land.
We worked with 10 performers from Motor City Street Dance Academy and 10 acting majors from SMTD who collaborated on developing of the movement material, working with objects, task oriented improvisational structures and exploring the physicality of construction work. Our goal was to bridge the communities in Southwest Detroit with our SMTD students to broaden perspectives, support collaboration, and create opportunities for both communities to perform. Another beautiful collaboration occurred between Niki White an Interarts student and Demacio Soto a Detroit based visual artist who created the mural and the stage design.
I am excited to develop future projects in Southwest Detroit and to further partner with Bridging Communities.
Tanged: Stage For All
Concept: Tzveta Kassabova Stage/ Mural: Demacio Soto and Niki White Performers: Chris Abolio, Sofia Angelopoulos, Francisco Casillas, Tyler Davis, Peter Dickey, Christopher Jensen, Dontez Jones, Alexandra Lee, Joel Lingaur, Olivia Mitchell, Josue Monge, Anthony Ortiz, Nora Rodriguez, Kush Soni, Emma Steiner, Brian Vasquez, Edwin Vasquez Music: Ian Tran Spoken Word: Cándida the Poet Community Story Telling Facilitation: Paul Draus Cinematography: David Forsee Photography: Ekaterina Angelova |
photography Ekaterina Angelova