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Tere O'Connor's Wrought Iron Fog was first seen on Dance Theater Workshop's stage in November of 2009. Thank goodness they brought it back! I was determined to go since I didn't get to see it the first time around. I recommend everyone go to experience O'Connor's well-structured and aesthetically provocative piece, which closes tonight Saturday June 26th at 7:30 p.m.!
The basic description of Wrought Iron Fog is rather simple. The dancers, on stage for nearly the entire 60 minute presentation, execute a somewhat random collection of phrases. Looped together, resembling an endless flow of thought and feeling, the phrases featured balletic stances, modern floor work, leaps, jumps, twitches, quirky gestures, suspensions, constant changes of directions, spins, duet and trio partnering...the list goes on.
O'Connor presented what I would like to refer to as "Everything." Everything not literally meaning every single type of movement, emotion, or theme, because obviously this is impossible. But rather Everything being an unsaid, indescribable feeling of completion; a dense sphere of our most innate senses and considerations. And how to handle Everything? A very well-designed system of time and space sharing. O'Connor's format for the dance seemed completely void of rules and instruction. But still, there existed a central understanding between the dancers; an inherent system of know-how, know-why, know-when, know-where.
Some might read this and be saying "Really?! Everything?? Oh, come on." But I stick to my guns. Such a heavily physical and abstract dance that is supported by interesting choreography, a killer score (of random, yet so deliberate voice, noise, melody, and beat cuts), a beautifully simple set, and appropriate lighting, is designed to wrap around your body, brain, and emotions like the slippery, soapy water of a bubble bath. O'Connor knows exactly what he's doing. I'm not sure and I don't know if O'Connor, or anyone for that matter, can be sure that the piece included pain, beauty, anger, fear, happiness, betrayal, bravery, hope, literally "everything"...What's important is that there is the "feeling" of Everything. There's the feeling that anyone can feel anything - there are no idealistic, physical, or structural boundaries for thoughts or emotions. The only constant is time. Hence the title Wrought Iron Fog.
Go see this show.
Learn more about the show and buy tickets at dancetheaterworkshop.org! And as always, use Destination Cheslea as your guide to the best culture NYC has to offer!