As a dance artist, improviser and community organizer, I seek to widen my perspective of the arts within the greater global context by studying nationally and locally with my mentors, supporting the next generation of artists, committing to the creative process and approaching movement with mindfulness.

Collapsing Silence (2011)

Untitled from Ilana Silverstein on Vimeo.
Untitled from Ilana Silverstein on Vimeo.

Skypelapse (in progress)

Untitled from Ilana Silverstein on Vimeo.

 

Broken Mosaic (2010)

Confirm or Ignore (2009)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essence (2007)

Essence is a playful duet that explores the curiosity and wisdom of children and how they
move.  This piece is dedicated to teacher and friend, Wim Aspeslagh.  I am making this
for him, in his memory, to celebrate who he was, a young toddler and a wise elderly man
all in one body, mind and spirit.

Every rehearsal begins with the contemplative movement practice (developed by Barbara
Dilley), a combination of sitting meditation, personal warm up and group improvisation.
Amanda and I make the transition of emptying our minds from everything else going on
in our lives to being fully present to dance together; from an internal/personal focus to an
external awareness of others.

I developed the movement from images I had been collecting of children.  Amanda and I
then strung them together and played with spatial patterns to develop a skeleton of the
piece.  Mid-process, I met musician, Yoko K. and began collaborating with her to
develop the soundscore.    Throughout the process, I have been keeping the intimacy of
the venue in mind and shaping the piece so it is accessible and engaging for the audience.