BRIC and 651 ARTS present work by celebrated African choreographers
BRIC and 651 ARTS, two venerable Downtown Brooklyn arts organizations, have collaborated to present “Look Back, Dance Forward: Tales of Home | Congo/Mozambique,” two nights of dance-theater featuring work by celebrated contemporary African choreographers.
The program includes Congo-based choreographer and performer Faustin Linyekula in “Le Cargo” (Oct. 24) along with the New York Premiere of “Time and Spaces: The Marrabenta Solos” (Oct. 25) by the Mozambique-based choreographer and performer Panaibra Gabriel Canda.
In both full-length works, the artists grapple with the complex histories of their countries as they explore their own memories and experiences with their fathers. Through this personal and intimate lens they explore, in very different ways, the complicated and multifaceted impact colonialism has had on their conceptions of home, family and national identity.
Linyekula and Canda are internationally recognized for their work and each play vital roles in their home communities. In their respective countries, they founded and continue to direct their own dance companies, creating artistic projects and public programs as Artist-Citizens who address relevant issues affecting a broad cross section of society.