About

Palindromes is a filmic, design and choreographic response to Andy Akiho’s work for percussion: Seven Pillars. Akiho’s work consists of seven ensemble movements and one solo movement for each of the four members of Sandbox Percussion who perform it. The instrumentation includes traditional instruments such as vibraphone, glockenspiel, and marimba, with some found percussion sounds like glass bottles and metal pipes. Each section of Akiho’s new work, as well as the structure of the total program, is based upon palindromic principles of mirroring and symmetry. Palindromes can be numbers (12321), letters (rotator), words (live/evil), musical phrases (A-B-C-B-A), or rhythmic sequences. 

The dance/films that were designed to accompany Akiho’s shimmering percussion loosely evoke two palindromic forms: inkblot paintings and mandalas. Some of the corollary strangeness and visual power to the former can be seen in how they evoke other bi-lateral forms of nature (sometimes simultaneously): bug, leaf, crab, butterfly and the endless varieties of that which we call — face. Their abstract and often ambiguous visuality allows viewers to voluntarily create multiple readings or interpretations (moment to moment) by shifting focus or altering one’s perceptual bias towards certain aspects of the overall design and its details. The defining element in Mandala design, no matter how complex, is symmetry (in this way, the mandala becomes the visual expression of the belief that the core principle of the universe is balance and unity). The principals of harmony and serenity that are communicated by the Mandala are echoed in its very structuring. However exuberant and complex the figures that exist within it, the design of the mandala provides a visual emblem of order. 

The palindromic films for Akiho’s Pillar III and Pillar V were produced during a joint residency with Francesca Harper at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. The NYC-based FlexN dancers as led by Reggie Grey were invited into the residency alongside a selection of Boston Ballet and contemporary dancers.The choreography, developed alongside Akiho, acts as the physical manifestation of musical motives. In addition to responsive choreography, the project also made use of sound responsive light tubes which were used to accent musical patterns and motives and rhythm.

Palindromes presents as both an exhibition (with recorded music) as well as an immersive live performance with Sandbox percussion performing Andy Akiho’s score. The audience is encouraged to position themselves between the projecting screens on one side of the room, and the live orchestra on the other. Within the semi-darkened space, the screen glows with shifting, changing otherworldly color. As each performer enacts segments of exuberant choreography and movement, they morph into something more purely rhythmical and patterned (the flashing symmetrical imagery engaging the place in your brain once entranced by tiny colorful pills at all-night raves). As the patterns grow more complex, recognizable bodies begin to melt in and out of geometric patterns in CMYK until they are transcendent, erased and transformed. In this rupture, the figures dilute into graphics of themselves, or into graphics without reference, but which nonetheless, still seem to be riding atop Akiho’s sonic and percussive waves.  This transformation is depicted as manifestly rapturous in its actualization.

CREATIVE TEAM

Concept / Direction: David Michalek

Movement and Associate Direction: Francesca Harper

Choreography: Francesca Harper, Reggie Gray

Editorial Assistance: Michael McQuilken

Dancers: Eriko Iisaku, My’Kal Stromile, Mosceline Park-Harrison, Tim Stickney, Havoc, Banks, Risa Morales, Sage 

Original music: Andy Akiho

Performed by: Sandbox Percussion