Age & Beauty Part 1 : Mid-career artist/suicide note or &:-/
The astounding New York artist Miguel Gutierrez plunges into the end with an exquisite, turbulent celebration. A queer and lascivious duo soars toward ecstasy
In mid-career, the sassy Miguel Gutierrez is embarking on a cycle of joyously distressing creation. His private diary has been choreographed and springs to life onstage. With this return to the FTA stage, the ebullient New York artist plunges into the artistic twilight with an extraordinary and unruly celebration.
The pulsating beats of a night club thump through an immaculate space. Dressed in a pink swimsuit with floral motif, Gutierrez embarks, together with the young Mickey Mahar, on a ruthless aerobics workout. The two members of the odd couple are a study in contrasts. The gracious and delicate 25-year-old Mahar is a melancholy pierrot. Behind his outrageous fuchsia makeup, Gutierrez, 44, has lived quite a life. Side by side, they repeatedly chant “We are the dancers”. A wild and lascivious fever overwhelms the geometry of the dance, and desire stirs the two bodies with fiery spirit. A triumphant Gutierrez upends this swan song with visceral energy, thirsting for the future.
PRODUCED BY MIGUEL GUTIERREZ
CREATED AND PERFORMED BY MIGUEL GUTIERREZ + MICKEY MAHAR
MUSIC CHUCKIE AND SILVIO ECOMO + JERRY GOLDSMITH +MIGUEL GUTIERREZ
WRITTEN BY MIGUEL GUTIERREZ
SET DESIGN MIGUEL GUTIERREZ+ MICKEY MAHAR
COSTUME DESIGN DUSTY CHILDERS
LIGHTING DESIGN LENORE DOXSEE
CREATIVE RESIDENCIES AND SUPPORT MAGGIE ALLESEE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHOREOGRAPHY – FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY + ]DOMAINES[ PROGRAM – CENTRE CHORÉGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL DE MONTPELLIER LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON + HOLLINS UNIVERSITY (ROANOKE) + WHITNEY BIENNAL 2014PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THÉÂTRE PROSPERO
WRITTEN BY JESSIE MILL
TRANSLATED BY NEIL KROETSCH
Miguel Gutierrez (New York)
Making his home in Brooklyn since 1997, Miguel Gutierrez has influenced an entire generation of dancers on the New York scene with irreverent and edgy queer performances. His effusive pieces consist not only of movement, but also include music, texts and songs, all of it alive with the same fierce engagement.
