USA / UKRAINE
CHOREOGRAPHY:  MAIDA WITHERS, USA  –  ANTON OVCHINNIKOV, Ukraine
ELECTRONIC COMPOSER/MUSICIAN, STEVE HILMY,  USA
60^TH GALA ANNIVERSARY of the NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER OF UKRAINE
WORLD PREMIERE
“60 MOVES with FUTURE GAZE”
“scattering the ruins of the past for the sake of the future.”.
Site Performance – July 6, 2018 @ 5:00 to 6:00 PM
17 Ukraine Contemporary Dancers
National Exhibition Center of Ukraine

The National Exhibition Center, an architectural pearl, includes 180 buildings, 20 of which have the status of historical and cultural monuments of Ukraine.

Maida Withers, noted Washington, DC choreographer, and Anton Ovchinnikov, ZelyonkaFest founder, Kiev, co-created “60 MOVES with FUTURE GAZE,” a site-specific performance featuring 17 Ukrainian contemporary dancers and live electronic music composed and performed by Steve Hilmy, USA,  in honor of the 60^th ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION of The Historic National Exhibition (Expo) Center, Kiev, Ukraine – Friday, July 6, 2018. “60 MOVES with FUTURE GAZE, a dance production of Black O!Range, Kiev,” was created during a 15-day residency in the studio of the Les Kurbas Centre and on the territory of the Expo Center.

Why Dance?  Why this dance now?  Why in Ukraine?

“60 MOVES with FUTURE GAZE” explores the relationship between architecture and the human body in order to better understand how architecture affects our identity and patterns of behavior. What do we feel today, being surrounded by the ideology of the past – a past deeply embodied in architecture? And who are WE – the people who have lived in times of dramatic change, who are still in the process of self-identification – scattering the ruins of the past for the sake of the future.

This collaboration about Stalinist architecture and the human body occurs at a most timely moment for USA and Ukraine engagement. Most Ukrainians still live in an environment of Soviet architecture which was built during the days of Stalin and Khrushchev. It is well known that architecture was the embodiment and reflection of the dominant ideology and state policy. Houses in the era of Stalin were built to inspire respect for the state system, to express confidence, optimism, faith in the victory of the Soviet system and lifestyle.  That day is now past but the architecture continues and can be re-envisioned by the new Ukraine – the passionate and  innovative spirit of youth – thus the 60 MOVES project.

History of the Idea:
The idea of ​​creating this performance was announced by artistic director of Black O!Range Dance Production, Anton Ovchinnikov. In 2016. Anton proposed creating a cycle of site-specific performances called “Revitalizing the Past – Creating the Future”. In accordance with the idea, it was proposed to create street performances, with the background of the Stalinist architecture of the City of Kiev, which has the artistic and historical value. Anton approached Maida Withers, USAS choreographer, based on her 21 years of collaborative projects in Russia. In the first performance of the cycle we set the task of investigating the relationship between architecture and the body in order to understand how architecture can influence a person, identity and patterns of behavior with a look to the future of Ukraine.

Maida Withers Bio
Anton Ovichinnikov Bio
Steve Hilmy Bio

This project was made possible by the generous support of George Washington University, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences – CCFF; Maida Withers and The Dance Construction Company; and Zelyonka-Fest.

Cast Photo
Performance photos by Eugeniya Shevtsova

Rehearsal Photos Anton Ovchinnikov

Additional videos for 60 Moves with Future Gaze: http://maidadance.com/works/60-moves/http://maidadance.com/works/60-moves/http://maidadance.com/works/60-moves/http://maidadance.com/works/60-moves/

Rehearsals in DC, Withers phrases 1 to 9 with Arielle Ostry, GW student, in preparation for Ukraine Residency for 60 Moves with Future Gaze: https://vimeo.com/279074208http://vimeo.com/390855702http://vimeo.com/278039365http://vimeo.com/278475847http://vimeo.com/275319445http://vimeo.com/274753148http://vimeo.com/274756165 http://vimeo.com/274754712http://vimeo.com/274754237http://vimeo.com/274753931http://vimeo.com/275409104http://vimeo.com/274755562

What the press is saying

"There are two things when creating performances which can be achieved. First get enlightenment itself (answers to questions, solutions to problems, new knowledge, etc.), in which the artist grows.. Second-the viewer receives enlightenment. Look and say: "but I thought it's not even about! This is so exciting! Anton Ovchinnikov_Interview

"Cooperation in the study of the interaction of Soviet architecture and the body is taking place at an important time in relations between Ukraine and the United States." Moemisto

(need quote in English from article) Ukrainian Theater

"scattering the ruins of the past for the sake of the future" - quote from Anton Ovchinnikov: “60 Moves with Future Gaze” explores the relationship between architecture and the human body in order to better understand how architecture affects our identity and patterns of behavior. Art Daily

"In this paper, we will try to explore the relationship between architecture and the body in order to understand how architecture can affect a person, his identity and patterns of behavior," - say the authors of the project.

Maida Withers, known for her innovations in choreography, came from the United States. Anton Ovchinnikov from Ukraine, emphasizes the minimalism and realism of physical action. HMarochos