BWW Reviews: GRINDING AND EQUATIONS: TWO DUETS AT ABRONS and YOU ARE SPECIAL

The most important thing to remember is an open mind when attending a production that would likely fall under the category of "performance art". Festival TBD: Emergency Glitter show cased many artists that had the main purpose of expanding upon cultural norms, the segments that were created by Gillian Walsh and Lauren Grace Bakst were no exception. Together, these choreographers disturbed the minds within the audience and left the deeper meaning behind the concepts presented to us a mystery.

The first piece created by Gillian Walsh was entitled Grinding and Equations: Two Duets at Abrons. The performance began with two couples, each couple repeating different choreography. The couples laughed and spoke to each other throughout the first few minutes while they performed, setting up a very informal tone to the piece. Additionally, one of the couples was consistently causing an unpleasant sight and sound by falling on top of one another for several minutes. The rest of Walsh's contribution included a counting sequence, partial nudity, and a lengthy Nicki Minaj song that merely consisted of two lines. The entire piece was abrupt, uncomfortable and even slightly aggravating. It was not until I pondered about it for days that I realized I did take something away from Gillian Walsh's message. To me, her piece spoke about how we are desensitized to pop culture in certain settings. She was not presenting anything outlandish by modern day standards, yet it left me feeling weak because it was not demonstrated via celebrities and television.

Lauren Grace Bakst may have been less raw, but she was just as abstract with her piece called You are Special. The studio had been left silent by the former piece when one woman entered and simply started to feel all the space around her. Soon she was joined by another woman and a man who also took full advantage of the small space given to them. Bakst used a different approach during her segment by having audience involvement. The performers assigned random members of the audience to read a short and esoteric dialogue. The lines of the dialogue never helped create an understanding of the conversation but a sense of shame brought on by some indignant act was clear. After the dialogue had been read by several audience members, the dancers returned to the stage and performed animalistic choreography while incorporating a soft pink bed sheet. Unfortunately, I have not been able to grasp much from this performance but I believe it will stick with me and it may resonate with me on a deeper level when I least expect it to.

Although I much prefer dance performances with structure and physicality, I am glad I experienced this show. Never have I left a theater feeling rage, confusion, vulnerability and finally enlightenment. While it may not be the most enchanting way to spend time on a summer night in New York City, it is undeniably art.

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