Creative Workshop led by artist Mimi Haddon, focusing on Masks and Movement
In an exciting collaboration, renowned dance company Heidi Duckler Dance and acclaimed artist Mimi Haddon are hosting an immersive workshop titled "BAKERU: Transforming Spirits". The event invites participants to delve into themes of nature and community through movement, performance, and storytelling.
About the Workshop
Facilitated by Mimi Haddon, known for her innovative approach to dance and embodiment, and Heidi Duckler Dance, celebrated for site-specific performances that engage communities, this unique experience offers a chance to connect deeply with the environment and each other. The workshop typically includes movement exercises, group improvisation, guided reflections, and collaborative creation, often set in outdoor or site-specific urban environments.
Themes and Format
The workshop explores themes of nature, environmental awareness, communal interdependence, and creative expression. Participants will create a "phrase" of physical movements that will be strung together to form a dance. Musician Joe Berry will provide musical accompaniment for the workshop.
Upcoming Events
These workshops are often part of larger festivals, community arts programs, or organised by local arts organisations. Dates and locations vary, so it’s best to check Heidi Duckler Dance's official announcements or Mimi Haddon’s professional pages for the latest schedule.
Participant Benefits
Participants will receive complimentary masks to experience the interactive "BAKERU: Transforming Spirits" exhibition. They will also create custom-made masks and develop a group dance based on themes of nature and community. Mimi Haddon will photograph participants and provide them with a digital copy of their image.
Background
Heidi Duckler has been creating choreography in non-traditional sites for more than 30 years. Her choreography is characterized by a strong foundation in place, be it geographical, cultural, social, historical, architectural, environmental, political, and/or personal. Mimi Haddon, on the other hand, is a professor of Photography and Design at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Downtown Los Angeles. Her fiber sculptures explore themes of archetypes and excess, and she infuses a sense of humor into her creature-like sculptures.
Quotes
Heidi Duckler believes that the arts can change our vision of the world and of ourselves. She states, "As a choreographer I've imbued non-traditional sites with performances for more than 30 years. The strength and distinctiveness of my work depends on a solid foundation of place, be it geographical, cultural, social, historical, architectural, environmental, political and/or personal. Location, history, and community have inspired my work, yet my choreography has evolved with each place."
Mimi Haddon is currently working on a coffee table book about Palace Costume, one of the largest costume rental houses in Los Angeles.
No previous dance experience is necessary, and the workshop is open to individuals aged 16 and up. If you’re interested in participating or learning more, consider reaching out directly to Heidi Duckler Dance or Mimi Haddon’s official contacts for registration details, costs, and specific event information. They may also offer virtual or hybrid versions of the workshop depending on the current programming.
- The immersive workshop "BAKERU: Transforming Spirits", a collaboration between Heidi Duckler Dance and artist Mimi Haddon, delves into themes of nature and community through movement, performance, and storytelling, which can be considered as a unique intersection of art, fashion, and lifestyle.
- Heidi Duckler, known for her site-specific performances that engage communities, incorporates various elements of art, design, and tradition into her choreography, often set in outdoor or urban environments, making it a fusion of performance and home-and-garden aesthetics.
- Mimi Haddon, a professor at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, infuses a sense of humor into her creature-like sculptures, showcasing her artistry in the realms of design, fashion-and-beauty, and beyond.
- The workshop participants will not only create a group dance based on themes of nature and community but will also have the opportunity to design and make their own masks, connecting art, tradition, and lifestyle in a creative and interactive exhibition.
- Heidi Duckler's choreography and Mimi Haddon's sculptures usually form part of larger events such as festivals, community arts programs, or exhibitions, bridging the gap between art, performance, and the local arts community.
