ZviDance Brings Painting-Inspired Work to Jacob’s Pillow

 

ZviDance

ZviDance

(BECKET, Mass.) – ZviDance performs its new, evening-length work, “Escher/Bacon/Rothko,” in the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow from Wednesday, July 20, through Sunday, July 24. This riveting, mixed-medium program draws inspiration from distinguished visual artists of the 20th century to question notions of modernity. “Escher/Bacon/Rothko” provides an intelligent visual experience for audiences as it seamlessly transforms one-dimensional artwork into a three-dimensional performance.

The evening-length triptych “Escher/Bacon/Rothko” uses movement as a representation of visual art. New layers of perspective are added to M.C. Escher’s black and white mathematical lithographs, Francis Bacon’s boldly grotesque figurative painting, and Mark Rothko’s colorful and impassioned form of abstract painting. The piece is performed in three distinct sections to reflect conceptions of modern art.

ZviDance is led by the artistic vision and internationally diverse scope of Israeli-born Zvi Gotheiner, a former member of Batsheva Dance Company. ZviDance’s mission is to investigate the depth of human experience with a unique movement vocabulary that celebrates diversity through melding genres. Gotheiner established ZviDance 25 years ago, and has since transformed the company into a well-known dance ensemble with international appeal. ZviDance has performed at prestigious venues including Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), the Joyce Theater, New York Live Arts, and Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, as well as in countries including Germany, Poland, Russia, Israel, Brazil, and Japan.

ZviDance is distinctly shaped by a collaborative model of creation. “Escher/Bacon/Rothko” features costumes by Mary Jo Mecca, lighting design by Mark London, and score by Scott Killian.

Zvi Gotheiner was born and raised in Messilot, a kibbutz in northern Israel. He was a violinist turned dancer after having a life-changing experience at age 17 seeing Batsheva Dance Company. Soon after, Gotheiner joined the burgeoning company. After receiving a scholarship from the America-Israeli Cultural Foundation, Gotheiner was granted the opportunity to study dance in New York City. Since 1981, he has been in New York full time, and has danced with companies including Joyce Trisler Dance Company, Feld Ballets/NY, and Garden State Ballet.

In addition to his role as artistic director of ZviDance, Gotheiner is a beloved ballet teacher in the dance world. Dance luminary Wendy Whelan, New York City Ballet principal Sara Mearns, and Paul Taylor Dance Company member Michael Trusnovec are just some of those who can be found in Gotheiner’s daily class. Nicknamed, the “Zen Dance Master of New York” by the New York Times, Gotheiner shares a unique and coveted perspective through his classes and choreography.

ZviDance made its Pillow debut in 2004 at the Doris Duke Theatre. Recently, in April 2016, ZviDance was co-presented by Jacob’s Pillow Dance at MASS MoCA, where they performed “On the Road,” a multimedia work-in-progress inspired by Jack Kerouac’s novel of the same name. Jacob Goodhart, ZviDance’s current company manager, is an alumnus of The School at Jacob’s Pillow Intern Program.

 

Performance and ticket information
ZviDance

Doris Duke Theatre

Wednesday, July 20 – Saturday July 24, 8:15 pm

Saturday, July 23 & Sunday, June 24, 2:15 pm

 

Free Pre-Show Talks with Jacob’s Pillow Scholar-in-Residence Maura Keefe are offered on the porch of the Doris Duke Theatre 30 minutes before each performance

 

Free Post-Show Q&A with artists of ZviDance will take place immediately following the performance on Thursday, July 21 at the Doris Duke Theatre

 

Tickets start at $25. Now on sale online at Jacob’s Pillow, via phone at 413.243.0745, or in person at the Jacob’s Pillow Box Office.

 

Box Office hours:  Wednesday- Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sun, noon-5pm; Tues, 11am-5pm

 

Pillow Members receive exclusive benefits. To become a Member, call 413.243.9919×125.

Jacob’s Pillow is located at 358 George Carter Road in Becket, MA, 01223 (10 minutes east on Route 20 from Mass Pike Exit 2). The Jacob’s Pillow campus and theaters are handicapped accessible.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.