Artists Spotlight: Mary Oslund
Mary Oslund, choreographer, dancer and educator
Recipient of RACC’s first Individual Artist Fellowships,1999; numerous RACC Project Grants
As a choreographer, teacher and performer, Mary Oslund is one of the Northwest’s leading dance artists. Throughout her career, she has advanced the discipline of contemporary dance through the exploration and creation of new work with choreography marked by compelling and expressive physicality, movement invention, specialized group work, and a unique approach to partnering. In addition to leading Oslund+Company/Dance, Oslund is a founder and Co-Director of the dance organization Conduit Dance Inc., where she regularly teaches.
"I make dances from a keen interest in the body and movement, the richness of work with artists in other forms, the breadth of possibility within choreographic design and statement. I want to create work that is at once complex, captivating and mysterious, " Oslund explains.
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Mary Oslund's SKY, performed by Oslund+Company/Dance
(Photo: Julie Keefe) |
Each season, Oslund+Company/Dance produces new works, conducts classes, open rehearsals, workshops and residencies, and accepts commissions and presenting opportunities. It is widely considered to be an exemplary model of the creativity and vigor of dance emerging from the region. Oslund’s choreography often draws material from literature, film, theater, and the visual arts, and is frequently created with original music composed for the work. She routinely engages resident and guest lighting and costume designers to work as true partners. The company has been on the roster of stellar artists presented by PICA and White Bird, and has received funding for creative work from the National Dance Project, NY's Foundation for the Performance Arts, the Allen Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
May 18-20, 2007, Oslund+Company/Dance will premiere its latest work SKY at Imago Theatre. Oslund created SKY in collaboration with visual artist Christine Bourdette, and composer John Berendzen, with Rinde Chambers and Jeff Forbes designing costumes and lighting respectively. Oslund’s choreography for SKY is brazen and powerful, technically demanding, and plots the wide-open spaces and narrow gaps between a group of strangers. Bourdette’s stage design includes a reshaping of the performing space through spectacular use of curved walls and sloped platform. Composer John Berendzen has created an exciting ensemble of percussions, vocals and electronics to perform his original score during this debut of SKY.
Contact Information:
website: www.oslundandco.org
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RACC Staff to Contact
Mary Bauer
Communications Associate
503.823.5426
mbauer@racc.org
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