The pieces comprising the performance ranged in medium from flute, to film, synthesizers, dance, opera, and even animation. Despite the range of mediums used, the majority of the pieces focused on commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. This created a continuity within the evening.
Most impressionable to me were the possibilities that emerged from the evening. Many of the pieces were being presented for the first time. Space was provided to play, explore, and experiment with new technologies and new collaborations. From this, new ideas emerged. For example, members of the Ad Hoc Formations Dance Collective created a new piece based on imagining the lives of the unidentified people who died in the Shirtwaist Fire. John Gilbert's film "Triangle Fire" played in slow motion provided a stunning backdrop. Additionally, Sunyoung Park's skilled improvisation on the piano created a score perfect for the piece. This experience highlighted the possibility of cross-disciplinary artistic collaborations. It also demonstrated the ability of cross-disciplinary artistic collaborations to be enhanced through the use of technology.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire created numerous changes in our society. Many labor laws, from which we still benefit today, were created in response to this tragedy. A new possibility for fairness in employment emerged. Therefore, it is fitting that the performance commemorating the fire revealed new possibilities.
Dancers from Triangulation:
