Helen Simard

On June 1st, 2011, iconic Canadian dancer Margie Gillis was “interviewed” on a private “news” program. The interviewer tried to belittle Ms. Gillis, and attacked her for receiving public funding to create art. As a choreographer, this interview triggered a number of questions concerning my responsibility and contribution to the world. What is the place of art in society? How can art bring people together, and open up dialogues on current events? How can we be honest, vulnerable, and compassionate in a fiercely competitive, dog-eat-dog world? On the Subject of Compassion is an attempt to answer these questions.

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