EDITOR’S NOTE: Conni McKenzie is a Spring 2023 CA$H grantee. This article highlights her funded activities and vision. I magine you are walking along a long winding path, stretching for miles, over hills and through for- ests. As you finally settle into a comfortable spot, you pause to take a deep, refreshing breath of air. In that moment you realize something pro- found—you can breathe deeply, and you have nowhere else to be. You can tackle challenges, but you can also find solace in rest. Right here, right now, you’re fully present in this moment, and this moment is just for you. These are a few lessons I’ve learned from my encounters with nature. Flow originated from two pri- mary motivations. First and fore- most, it was born out of my yearn- ing to establish deeper alignment in my daily life. Second, I desired to converge my dance and digital prac- tice into something that concretely expressed what mattered to me. Outside of dance practice, I thor- oughly enjoy outdoor travel and have documented my experiences through photography and video. Over the course of several years I have devel- oped an archive of thousands of pho- tos, videos and stories from around the world. But 99% of what I have captured has never been shared with anyone. Flow aims to reveal a por- tion of these archives, coupled with accompanying narratives and an inte- grated sound design.
Flow is an immersive expe- rience that offers a med- itative journey uniquely designed by and with Black people in mind—an uncom- mon occurrence in the art world. While Flow can offer something to everyone,it’s important to recognize that conventional narratives about nature frequently omit the experiences of Black individuals. It’s essential to remember that all people can benefit from connecting with nature, and this project emphasizes that perspective. Flow also aims to bridge the gap between nature and those who may seldom expe- rience it. The broader context of access to nature in North America, particularly in rela- tion to our colonial history and resulting disparities, underpins the project’s aspi- ration: to immerse individu- als, especially those with lim- ited access or transportation challenges, in the therapeutic embrace of nature. Flow will unfold within a three-room exhibit, delv- ing into digital immersion through the mediums of pho- tography, video and sound. Visitors will have the oppor- tunity to settle in comfort- ably while contemplating
thought-provoking prompts displayed throughout the exhibit. Additionally, on five evenings I will be joined by three talented performers for a unique premiere of Flow , integrating dance performances and engaging dialogues that encourage audiences to consider how they can invite more flow into their lives. I invite people to come to the exhi- bition to discover something new about themselves. In the midst of urban life, our exhibit offers a unique opportunity to compress the pro- found effects of extended time in
Nature serves as a powerful reminder of our capacity for stillness and vitality, as well as the inherent impermanence of existence.
nature into a brief yet impactful experience. As the Artistic Director, my goal is to create a space where everyone can find their own meaning. I appreciate the diversity of attendees and their varied perspectives, as they bring richness and depth to the pro- ject’s overall impact. Nature serves as a powerful reminder of our capacity for stillness and vitality, as well as the inherent impermanence of existence. Water, in particular, emerges as a symbol that links us to our inner workings
and the intricate chaos of life itself. Through the Flow exhibition and performances, my aim is to intro- duce individuals to these concepts and, for those who already pos- sess a connection, further deepen their understanding of the interplay between our inner flow and the flow of nature.
CONNI MCKENZIE is a versatile dancer from the New York metropolitan area. Her award-winning film, “Set Me Free,” was featured in the 2021 San Francisco Dance Film Festival, and she has directed several other shorts that have been showcased internationally. Conni is currently a resident artist with New Performance Traditions as part of the Dresher Ensemble Artist Residency (D.E.A.R.) and with BoxoPROJECTS. @lady_dancelot
Flow Exhibition & Performance October 4th-15th, 2023 Paul Dresher Studio 2201 Poplar Street Oakland, California 94607 Tickets for Flow can be purchased here.
Follow the project at flowexhibition. connimckenzie.com.
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In Dance | May 2014 | dancersgroup.org
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