In Conversation with Alten Wilmot

2021-22 Artist in Residence, Alten Wilmot, will be featured in our In the Studio series at the 2022 Guelph Dance Festival! Their work, Diserenity; an early process sharing and conversation, has been developed throughout their residency with Guelph Dance this year. We spoke to Alten about the work and the upcoming festival:

GD: What about your work are you most excited to share with the audience?

A: The work I am developing is based on a true story from a local community member and explores the healing journey from complex traumas, specifically those related to long-term psychological abuse.  It is all about the process of bringing these shattered memories together to close the experience and come out stronger for it.  I am most excited to talk about this concept with the audience and reflect on the myriad of metaphors and images that around it are arising through the dance.

Still image from footage by Bloom Media

GD: What was your biggest takeaway from the process of creating this work? Has the work shifted over the past few years?

A: My biggest takeaway from this process has most definitely been the power of dance.  The piece has shifted in size and scale, from starting as a small solo work to becoming what will eventually be a full length trio.  This was a direct result from the realization that these complex concepts present in the story were able to be dug much deeper into with movement.  The language of movement and the body has proven able to access the unspeakable emotions around large and formative experiences such as the one in this story.

Still image from footage by Bloom Media

GD: This is the first year the GD Festival is showcasing both live and live streamed versions of artist’s works. Can you speak about the opportunity to perform in front of live audiences again as well as view your work digitally?

A: It is absolutely thrilling.  I believe access is huge in dance.  For many, it is a form that feels extremely foreign.  Live streaming is a way for people to safely engage with the work on their own terms in their own homes.  To be able to offer this alongside FINALLY performing for a live audience once again I believe widens the doors to welcome more people into the magical experience that is concert dance!

You can see Alten’s Diserenity; an early process sharing and conversation at our In the Studio series, happening on Sunday, June 5th from 2:00-4:00 PM. Tickets are now on sale! Visit our festival page to see the full festival schedule and to get your tickets!

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