Change is in the air...

After a summer hiatus and much discussion about what is next for us, we briefly resumed our Long Distance Project by submitting our films to varying film festivals. Yulia and Kathryn have successfully showed their films around the Pacific Northwest. As we continue with personal projects, and new jobs, our attention, as is sometimes necessary, has shifted to the personal and away from the collective. The Long Distance Project will be on hold until further notice. Stay tuned to see what form we will take in the new year.

With Gratitude and Grace.

DameBuilder

Great news, LDP fans!

THREE of Yulia's video creations will be featured at this upcoming female-arts-empowerment exhibit! They will be playing continuously until the end of the exhibit in October. But, you can come to the artists' reception this Thursday 9/23 from 6:30-9 to meet me, see our work, and learn more about this and other projects. I hope to see you there!

Daily Dance Diaries on Hold

To All our readers and followers of our Daily Dance Diary--

We are temporarily putting the daily dance diaries on hold, so that the three of us can focus on getting together in September in Seattle for a performance of some kind, somewhere, maybe in multiple locations around Seattle. Stay tuned for all the details. Also, we would like to encourage you to leave a comment or two on our blog. We know people are watching and we would love to know what you think!

All the best,

The Long Distance Project

Driving Dance

Sometimes I wonder how I'll ever manage to film a dance in a day. So I decided to make my moves while I was making moves...dancing in the car. Enjoy.

Arms

Playing with colors and atmospheres.

Science nonFiction

Join me for some strange adventures through the Seattle Center

For Yulia and Erik

I was just waiting for the moment this flower would bloom so I could make this video! I am so happy to have such a healing plant on my porch, one whose intention was love.

Night Eyes

It is one in the morning, technically the 30th but feels like the 29th. I have just finished scrubbing my house. I am exhausted yet upbeat from the endorphins of all that work. I am alone, not lonely, but not completely content in my solitude.

Daily Dance Diary #30

It's been almost a month now since we started our Daily Dance Diaries. What if we kept going for the rest of our lives?

Happy Angry Sad #29

Practicing my Butoh emotions in the bathroom mirror.

What if...

What if we kept a Daily Dance Diary for the rest of our lives?

Cat Eyes [Daily Dance Diary #28]

I often find myself watching my cat as she watches something new or interesting. I'm fascinated by the subtle shifts of whiskers and brows and how her impression changes. This is my attempt at embodying Left Lane the cat.

Quick piece for July 28, 2010

The chain continues. It's on to Yulia!

Stripes

I was enjoying the shadows and their comparison with the artwork on the wall - shadows creating stripes on my skin that imitate the natural stripes of a zebra, as imitated by an artist on the artwork on the wall. Life imitating art imitating life imitating art imitating.........

Daily Dance Diary #27

Yet another hand dance. I think hands can be very expressive. I'm always discovering something new about the way my hands move.

Directions

In this time of transition, I seek wisdom from the North, new beginnings from the East, creativity from the South, and peace from the West.

From Up Above

July 26th, 2010

Your Turn, Kimberly!

Here is my next contribution to our quilt...

Under the Walnut Tree

Sorry about the poor quality. I shot this with my digital camera and it's not the best quality.

Daily Dance Diary #24

July 24, 2010
This is me at a public bathroom at the Gerding Theatre. I had to be quick as there was a line of people waiting to use the restroom. I had my camera, I had a moment and I thought why not?

Road Closed

I thought they might have built a bridge by now, but the river continues to flow in its own pathway.

Waterfall

The cool breeze that comes off this powerful fountain is soothing to the tired muscles and overworked mind...

Love

We wonder if Dee and Todd are still together?

Terrain

We think of rituals and rites as something outside of ourselves, our time, our place, but rituals can come from within and be expressed without, if we allow them, in these modern times. You don't even have to leave your home or your city, but I myself was inspired by nature this weekend. This is the first of four rituals from those adventures with nature.

Alter/Altar for 7/23/10

This is for Kathryn Daily Dance Challenge #23

This is for you Kathryn! Then Kim, then me and on and on it goes!

Sitting/Lying Daily Dance Diary #21 and 22

I love dancing on the floor or in this case on a matted platform. I love feeling my whole body move.

July 22, 2010 the challenge is on.

Thsi is for Yulia. Add on and pass it to Kathryn.

Challenge for Kimberly (then Yulia then me!)

Check this one out. It is a new way for us to create something together while living separately.

"Impatient Feet" Daily Dance Diary #21

Out with the Dog #20

Playing with the dog and trees.

Daily Dance Diary #19

Not sure what to call this one.

More Roots

More vibrations from the deserts and the tropics.

Ritual 1

Honoring the roots!

July 17-20, 2010 Dance Diary

This weekend touched every part of me. In remembrance of Ned Vare, I dedicate this piece.

A Simple Message

The Pre-Dance Dance [Daily Dance Diary #18]

July 18, 2010
This feels more like a warm-up to a dance that never happened.

Anxious [Daily Dance Diary #17]

July17, 2010 10pm
Right now I feel nervous, anxious, overwhelmed, uninspired to dance or film, but I must. This is good for me.

Happy Dance #16

July 16, 2010

Just finished having a delicious Indian feast.

End of Rally

These are quick edits. I just wanted to get something up. I'm working on a longer version of the days events, but it will take me a little while to finish.

July 15, 2010. We stormed City Hall. We got attention and support of local politicians. The fight is not over, but for now we can take a moment to celebrate and reflect. All of us came together!

Beginning of Rally

Thank you to everyone that came out in support. It was hot, it was crowded , it was loud, it was powerful!

Daily Dance Diary #16

Under water.
Up above.
Under ground.
In the ditch.
Inside out.
In the Sound.
On the chairs.
By the table.
All around.
On the stairs.
Staying stable.

Daily Dance Diary #15, "Couched"

What are we contained by? How do we move within the space that contains us?

City Rose

I am inspired by a rose
that grows
near the rows
of cars parked on the street.

I am inspired by the yellow of that rose,
the colors that come together to create the yellow on that rose,
the imitation yellow of my clothes
and the signs on the road.

I am inspired by the cycle of life, that,
through pain and strife,
continues to cycle onward.

The Last Beat of the Measure

How can dance be visual art as well? How can moving pictures become a collage of meaning, different at every moment for every viewer? How can one dancer and one editor make something exciting happen?

#14 "Hide and Seek"

Audio at play.

#13 "Push/Pull"

This day drained me emotionally. The title, I believe, says it all.

Three Rhythm

This series is rewarding to create. I hope it is rewarding to experience as well.

Two Rhythm

New experiments I feel good about. I want to know what people think of these videos!

Silliness #13

This is kind of silly, but sometimes I need to be silly and goofy.

One Rhythm

Moving where my feet take me.

Taking a Break

July 12, 2010
A much needed break from a day full of organizing a protest (emails, press releases, writing, reading, calling, talking, emails!).

Third Flight

The third stop/go on the journey, and the continuation in your mind.

Second Flight

The second stop/go on the journey.

First Flight

The first stop on a journey of discovery.

Sunday Afternoon (daily dance #11)

Out rolling around the neighborhood.

Special Effects #2 (Daily Dance #10)

Don't worry I will get tired of these special effects soon. Sometime I just don't feel like showing my face, especially after a hot day when my face is all oily.

The Everyday

My 10th daily diary comes a day late. #11 is in the works.

In this video, I was interested in filming an everyday experience, including sound and movements. I sped it up to add another layer for the viewer. Although accidental, I really like that my reflection is captured in the pot on the stove.

Three In A Row

I do not have reliable internet access right now. I have three great videos to submit for the 9th, 10th, and 11th, but they will have to wait to be submitted until Monday when I can go to the school library. For now, I will work on commenting on Y's and K's videos and keep dancing every day!

Special Effects

Experimenting with different video effects.

#9 Watching

Lately, I have been struggling with my reactions to work situations. I am learning that sometimes all you can do is watch.

#8 nightime

It was late at night. It was a wind-down-candle-lit-exploration floor-time kind of diary. In the editing phase I played with the lighting and sound to create a mood and an atmosphere. I could have spent a lot more time on this but chose to submit it so that I could move on to the next diary post.

Zenger Farm - July 8, 2010

Today I had the most amazing experience. I don't know if this dance captures/expresses everything I was feeling at the moment. It was filmed at Zenger Farm, an urban farm in Portland, OR, after I killed, cleaned and butchered my very first chicken. It was a beautiful experience. Thank you chicken. Thank you Camas and Levi for guiding me through the process.

Summer Time #7

I love it when I can go out in my tank top late at night. Summer has finally arrived in Portland! Yes!

Number 8

A hot day today in Seattle inspires me to relax, finally. I feel calm and joyful at the sunny summer day, a manifestation of happiness.

Water Dance

I am into time lapses lately, and I am teaching myself how to achieve the look I want, using the technology I have. So I worked on this experiment with boiling water.

The Mask

I find that with dance video, it's the most simple idea that gets the message across the best. And it doesn't require a lot of forethought, just an idea.

Yesterday was Frida Kahlo's birthday. This video is in honor of her, inspired by one of my favorite paintings of hers: "La Mascara." The print in the background is a Diego Rivera, his famous "La Vendedora de Flores." They were meant for each other, Rivera and Kahlo, but their love was painful...and yet creative.

Diary #7

This was an exploration to find the spirals and circles in my spine and joints.

Diary # 6

Although only a brief meeting, so much occurs in just a few seconds. This is how I feel today... in a matter of seconds everything can change. The air is still today. Then out of no where a breeze comes through and I feel calm again.

Pre-Pilates Dance

July 6, 2010

Waiting for Pilates class to start. Playing with different camera angles.

Bathroom Dance

July 5, 2010

It's only day 5 but I'm realizing that I don't feel inspired to dance or film everyday. Today is one of those days, but we made a commitment. It ws hard to start today but once I did, I felt good about what came out. This dance was the last thing I did before going to bed.

Daily Dance Diary Coming Soon

I do not have access to a fast internet service today, so my entry for today will be posted tomorrow, followed by my entry for tomorrow. Keep creating.

Daily Dance #4

July 4, 2010

Sunday morning, gloomy, cold, overcast July morning in Portland. Trying to motivate myself for the day by listening to pop music composed by my good friend Francis Francis.

Daily Dance #3

July 3, 2010

I'm feeling a bit shy and tired today. Inspired by Kim's 1st and 2nd video, only showing part of the body.

Fuegos Reales

"Fireworks" in Spanish is "fuegos artificiales." Fake fires. Well, I want to deal with reality straight up in my life. So here are some real fires to warm you up today, and remind you how far you've come.

4th of Rainy

Blessings. My video for today is for the Eyes Only of Yulia and Kimberly. Until, possibly, the performance in September.

Daily Dance Diary 1-2-3

Day One- shy and mysterious, slow to show more than a little leg.
Day Two- feeling my back strength. I got my back today.
Day Three- Sunset inspired play along the school fence and my apartment building rooftop. I was inspired by a game my friend calls 54321.

Accumulation (Daily Dance Diary #3)

I am exploring accumulating movement as a method for creating dance, as well as our tendency as humans to constantly accumulate trash.

Paper Dance

July 2, 2010

Birds, crows, rain clouds parted, paper rustling flowing dancing.

Back and White

My second entry on the second of July. I like trying short explorations that may or may not feel complete, but I still force myself to put them out there.

July 1, 2010

It's July 1st but you wouldn't be able to tell from the weather in Portland. Rainy, chilly, cloudy, windy. Today the Long Distance Project starts our daily dance diaries: a commitment to explore, play, dance everyday...no matter how small or big, no matter how simple or complex. This is my rainy dance for today. It is a bitter sweet day. The start and end of things both good and bad.

Daily Dance Diary #1

Every summer, we at the Long Distance Project leave our respective homes in Brooklyn, Portland, and Seattle, to convene in a city. This is our third year, and we will return to Seattle, the place where the project (and friendship) started. As part of our Seattle performance (coming in September), we are each publishing a Daily Dance Diary, convening today, July 1, 2010, and ending when we are all in Seattle again. Each day, we each must produce some kind of dance video. It can be short, long, simple, complex, abstract, narrative, anything that we feel that day. We hope this will force us to shove creativity into our daily lives, and help us to create more and more material which can feed off of each other. Otherwise, we are each surviving in our own cities, living our lives, and hardly spending any time on our collaboration. This way, we empower and encourage one another every single day.

Click the title of this post (Daily Dance Diary #1) to see my first diary entry, "Land Legs." This is also an assignment I received from Yulia, but cannot share with you now because I can't reveal the secret assignment to Kimberly until it is time for me to send it to her.

Muy Informal

Bless, last night was a success. The format was very informal, with popcorn and tea and some mattresses on the floor of the dance studio in an old brick building. The films were projected onto a blank white wall and we all sat in fold-up chairs. I and my friend who joined me were the only ones who weren't part of the Barefoot Collective in some way. Suffice to say it was an "intimate" evening. They screened about 12 different films, each from which I learned something.

Now that I've seen many different interpretations of dance on film, I can draw conclusions about the future of dance film in general, and the development of my own style specifically. I think that if dance film wants to go anywhere in the massive art scene, each film has to have a clear concept. I am not saying that each film has to have a "plot" or "narrative," per se, but it has to have some kind of a concept that gets developed throughout the film. I saw several films last night that had many interesting concepts, but none got developed to their fullness because they were crowded by other ideas that the filmmaker had. Some films, to me, actually had the potential to be six or seven films, if only the filmmaker had focused on one idea at a time. I think this is my main struggle as a dance filmmaker.

Secondly, dance films cannot just have dancers dancing in an environment. Anyone can film someone moving around a park or a library. The real artistry comes in what the dancers are saying by dancing in that particular place, and doing those particular moves.

Finally, dance films are more interesting when the camera is not afraid to move with the dancers. I saw some incredible angles last night that suggested more movement than the dancers could do alone.

As for my style, I hope to absorb some of the lessons I learned last night and apply them to my work. I am so happy we had this chance to showcase our work and get inspired to keep moving forward with this project. Congratulations to all the other filmmakers and thank you to the Barefoot Collective!

Film2Night

It is with pleasure that I announce the film creations by The Long Distance Project. These films represent our trio, our web of love, and our light of creativity. In a short amount of time, we have created works that honor the distance, perspective and process that has willed these films into existence. In July we danced together. We spent the rest of the summer, fall and winter ruminating on where we might go next with our project. Here we are now... presenting our dance films tonight in Tacoma, WA highlighting work from this last summer in Brooklyn, NY.
I am filled with joy knowing that Kathryn is witnessing this premier while Yulia and I, from our respective homes in Portland, OR and Brooklyn, NY marvel at the accomplishments our long distance project has made. Congratulations!
From this spark of energy I see the flame of creativity building and our light growing ever brighter. Here is to building our project further with passion and dedication.

Here is one of the films that will be shown at the Barefoot Collective Dance Film Festival, Tacoma, WA.

Under the Canopy from Kimberly Kaplan on Vimeo.

Film 2 Night

Tonight we are blessed with exposure in the public eye. K's and my films are both premiering tonight at the Barefoot Dance Collective's Dance Film Night at the Merlino Arts Center in Tacoma, WA. We only created these films about two weeks ago, with the footage we filmed last July.

It seems to me that the biggest BLOCK to progress in a long distance project is the ability that distance has to cause procrastination. If we are so far apart from one another, it is easy to get used to our daily routines and forget that we have a pressing creative obligation to one another, and each to herself. It is when we make the time to make things happen and to make things, that we reap the rewards of our creativity. Even if these films were not screening tonight, we would still reap the rewards of satisfaction and joy, simply by doing the act of creativity. Humans are not meant to be caught in concrete jungles with no ray of the light of love inside of us. We need to let that light shine, so tonight I will represent the Long Distance Project's light with dignity and pride.

Dancing in Brooklyn

Here is another glimpse into our summer dance adventures/explorations in Brooklyn, NY.

Click on the title to view video.

Summer Projects Blooming Winterly

It is so nice to finally be editing, sharing, and inspiring one another with our summer footage. We can nourish each other and the world-at-large with our creativity, even when we are not together physically. I am so inspired by what Y and K both did, and I hope I can inspire them as well! Let's publish and publicize our videos so that the world can see, with bravery and pride in who we are and what we do.

Click on the link of the title of this post to see my video.