Through a Fan's Eyes

Think of a dancer dancing. Now think of how the perceived dancer’s body moved. Now think of that dancer, dancing how you imagined, but in a wheel chair. Now imagine that dancer without legs, without an arm. That perception, joined with physically disabled dancers, is AXIS Dance Company.

AXIS Dance Company is based in Oakland, California and has been changing the way the world thinks of dance since 1992. ''We don't look at being disabled as an obstacle or a limitation,'' said Judith Smith, 49, a company founder who dances in a motorized chair. ''We look at the possibilities. There is a potential for movement that is radically expanded from what another dance company would have,” (Webber, 2009). This approach to dance allows AXIS to create and perform dances that people aren’t used to seeing, but are drawn into, nonetheless. This newly achieved aesthetic of dance: dancing in a wheelchair, without ‘necessary’ limbs to dance with, with a muscle control disorder, allows AXIS to create the un-creatable, a dance that shows dance as a movement, a passion, a life form that is without boundaries, and without stereotype. The ‘impossible’ that AXIS found possibilities in is changing the way the world looks at dance.

The article “A Dance Company Mixes Arms, Legs and Wheels,” featured in The New York Times November 2009, by Bruce Webber, interviews AXIS company members and how they feel about dancing either with physically disabled, or dancing as a physically disabled company member. There are many quotes from the company members that show their support of their fellow dance company members, and continual excitement about what the company is bringing to the table in the world of dance. One of these quotes I found very telling of the physically abled dancer in a physically integrated dance company: “…company member, Janet Das, said the ability to create ensemble work with disabled dancers was a talent, a gift that some have more than others. The hardware, she said, takes some getting used to, but she likened it to learning to work with the floor, another unyielding barrier that is nonetheless, at times, a foil.” I love how this company and everyone in it is so willing to incorporate physically disabled dancers into a world of dance that, to seemingly everyone else, is so picky, unyielding and for lack of better words, mean.

AXIS does a remarkable job of creating dances that evoke emotion and stir the imagination. It’s companies like these that remind me that no one is ‘disabled’, but differently abled, as there are many things these dancers can do, that I could never do as a physically abled dancer. Their pieces are so inspiring and beautiful that I have used clips of their performances countless times for presentations and discussions. The members of AXIS are remarkable movers and, I’m sure, remarkable people. Working with their company, or a company like them, would be a dream come true. Creating a company like them in Alaska, would be Utopia. Along with creating dances with such limitless possibilities, there would be opportunity to change a company member’s life, and an audience member’s perception.

by Hannah Gauthier

References
WEBER, B. (2009, November). A Dance Company Mixes Arms, Legs and Wheels. New York Times. p. 37B. Retrieved from EBSCOhost..

Dance Anyhwere!

Sonsheree Giles and Rodney Bell, dancers part of the Axis Dance Company, perform “To Color Me Different” choreographed by Alex Keltley at the SFMoma on Friday March 18, 2011. Sasha Tivetsky / staff photographer

Posted on March 20, 2011 | GoldenGateXpress
By Chase S. Kmec

A true entertainer is in no need of fancy footwork to achieve a memorable performance.

On Friday afternoon, performers across the world celebrated “Dance Anywhere,” a simultaneous, unplanned public performance. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art hosted a performance of two dancers from AXIS Dance Company in commemoration of the day.

AXIS, an Oakland-based nonprofit founded in 1987, features physically disabled and able-bodied performers who specialize in physically integrated dance. This form of contemporary dance emphasizes the role of the disabled performer while also challenging people’s perceptions of the human body and the traditional notion of dancing.

“I was interested in challenging stereotypes when I joined AXIS,” said Sonsherée Giles, a dancer and associate director of AXIS. “We help educate people with our performances. It’s not for the weak of mind and it’s definitely unique.”

Giles, who has been with AXIS since 2005, often performs with Rodney Bell, who is paraplegic.

“Dancing in public spaces is harmonic in a meditative way,” Bell said. “But it can also be daring and edgy.”

Bell is originally from Te Kuiti, New Zealand and played basketball for the country’s Paralympic team from 1999 to 2006.

In the spirit of Dance Anywhere’s “no boundaries” philosophy, Giles and Bell performed “To Color Me Different” to onlookers in the SFMOMA lobby.

Bell was not confined to sitting. At times, he would leave his wheelchair and crawl across the museum floor, sometimes embracing his partner. Other times he would make use of the wheelchair, lifting it and utilizing his upper body strength, to perform an intricate pose. In turn, Giles would grab her partner and, while performing traditional dance, often used Bell’s back as a springboard to emphasize her flexibility with Bell wheeling about–all done in the name of artistic expression.

The performance was without any musical or audio accompaniment.

While many SFMOMA patrons milled about the lobby, others encircled the two performers, studying their physicality.

“For the observer, they’re doing their thing and a group of people become their backdrop,” said Ron Saunders, a photographer and art enthusiast. “I find it interesting how people don’t become aware of activity happening in their immediate area.”

In regards to the day itself, 12 p.m. marked a flurry of spontaneous performances courtesy of the Dance Anywhere organization.

Dance Anywhere arranged for the AXIS performance to perform at SFMOMA but many other individuals and organizations throughout the world also participated in the annual spontaneous performances.

“People can just do whatever they want,” said Dance Anywhere media director Janina Angel Beth. “Some people dance on the street, some are spontaneous, others are conceptual.”

While other spontaneous dancing events occurred throughout the Bay Area and in San Francisco–including a performance at United Nations Plaza- it was AXIS who captivated many within SFMOMA because of its alternative take of dance.

“It’s not something that happens all the time,” Saunders said. “Using that wheelchair as an extension of his body is truly amazing and very powerful.”

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AXIS through the eyes of an Intern

by Marguerite
I am starting to get into the swing of things in my new role here as an intern with AXIS Dance Company. Not only am I getting into shape biking over an hour to and fro the Malonga Center every shift but am also noticing I am feeling more integrated as a part of the 'inner' team. Juan, the pleasant security guard welcomes me and bike with smiles into the Malonga Center. I make my way up the stairs for a change of attire and am greeted with cheery 'hellos' upon my entry into the office - warm interpersonal dynamics I truly appreciate!

And the learning curve continues. I have recently had opportunity to further develop itineraries for two company tours; for Denver Colorado and Chandler, Arizona. Developing itineraries typically involves securing flights, hotels, talking with event organizers, making arrangements with venues, super-shuttles and car rentals, to name a few of the details needing attention. Requesting a refund with Super-shuttle on one occasion was an involved, challenging yet in the end, satisfying experience, providing opportunity to further hone my negotiation skills!

On another note, I have had opportunity to put into practice my home renovation skills, complete with drill, a very large pair of wire cutters and wall anchors! We tried to put up a curtain to further organize and beautify the office - alas to no avail, the curtain wire hanger was not strong enough to hold the curtain! A 'to be continued' project to return to as time permits...

A highlight and challenge has been taking the Monday night classes. The highlight is to study with AXIS Dance Company's wonderful teachers. The challenge: to find pathways to learn and retain choreography! The search continues, my intention: to find a solution....

Much continues to inspire me to new levels of understanding and experience with my stint as intern with AXIS Dance Company. I look forward to more as the remaining time allows.

New Work In on Conventional Places

Hello All - Happy 2011 - it feels like we’re certainly well into the New Year. Joe Goode’s GUSH Festival at Brava was a great way to jump start the year. Joe curated a fabulous program and we were genuinely humbled not only to share the stage with him, but by a comment from his program notes: “To my mind, this is one of the most important companies working in the Bay Area today. Not only are they committed to artistic excellence, but they are also offering a fresh perspective on what it means to be human.”

This is so validating and gives us a bunch of energy for the great projects we’ve planned for 2011. For the first part of the year we’re focusing on OutBound our first ever Outdoor Performance Season! OutBound consists of two distinct collaborations. The first work, find way to fall II, will take place at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in June. Choreographed by AXIS’ Associate Director Sonsherée Giles, this will be a site-specific work featuring AXIS dancers and a huge community cast. It was a hit last year and this year we’ll be exploring different places to dance in the Gardens. The second work, The Dislocation Express, is our long awaited collaboration with Dandelion Dancetheater, directed by Eric Kupers and Kimiko Guthrie. This performance work will take place at or near various BART stations throughout the Bay Area in July. Music will be performed live, composed collaboratively by members of the ensemble and played on instruments, voices and the sounds of wheelchairs, crutches, prostheses, and more.

Outdoor performances in public places provide exposure to large numbers of ’accidental audiences’ that may have never seen AXIS, or anything like us for that matter. OutBound performances will be free and open to the public and will give us an opportunity to give back to the community. We’re really excited about adding something new and different to our season. Watch for details and come out and enjoy AXIS up close and personal in the out of doors this Spring and Summer.

Warmly, Judy

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