By Ruba Hattar
In a special experience transmitted from the Iowa to the world, the University of Iowa's International Writing Program cooperated with the Department of Dance at the same University to express selected poems originally written and recited in more than one language including Arabic and Spanish in dance. Eyes Closed Eyes Open performance made dancing these poems a rewarding new journey for the writers, dancers and audience attending from Iwo and the world via ZOOM.
Dancing the poems through the Eyes Closed Eyes Open special performance came as part of a month long activities organized by the University entitled Art and the Pursuit of Social Justice.
"This duality is reflected in the prompt given to writers and dance-makers for their collaboration: when I close my eyes, I see the future / when I see the future, I close my eyes. As a contribution to this Art and Social Justice series, the longstanding collaboration between the International Writing Program and the UI Department of Dance resulted in a virtual concert of works," the organizers stated.
The performance prompt of dancing these poems was inspired by the title of an exhibition featuring the Egyptian artist Heba Y. Amin’s multimedia work.
Six premieres were accompanied by conversation and Q&A moderated by project Artistic Director, Jennifer Kayle, and commentary by program heads Christopher Merrill (IWP) and Rebekah Kowal (Dept. of Dance); original works by faculty, graduate students, and international authors: Jennifer Kayle (artistic director), Haifa Abu Al-Nadi, Eloy Barragán, Manuel Becerra, Justin Comer, Marlene Coronel, Mohammad Darweesh, Laila Franklin, Liat Graf, Emmalee Hallinan, John Humston, Mariko Ishikawa, Donika Kelly, Michael Landez, Abdalmuti Maqboul, Melinda Jean Myers, Tony Orrico, José Ortiz, Katie Phelan, Madhu Raghavendra, Juliet Remmers, Ramin Roshandel, Pamela Rahn Sanchez, Wana Udobang and Will Yager.
