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Monday, July 22, 2013

The Power of Art: Global Water Dances - Cincinnati

Hello,

This month I am writing about art, and the powerful message that can be conveyed through this medium. I was one of the leaders in a large community art project in June, called Global Water Dances (GWD). From the official GWD website (globalwaterdances.org):

Global Water Dances is a world event first launched in June 2011. The second global performance is scheduled for June 15, 2013. On a single day, a series of dances centered on water issues are performed beginning in the Western Pacific Rim, then encircling the globe. These dances are also broadcast online.

These dances use dance and music to blend local water issues with the global struggle to ensure safe water for all human beings.

Global Water Dances will start with performances in countries in the Pacific Rim, rolling westward through the time zones. Each group will produce a 4-part site-specific performance; the first two parts local and latter two global.

Global Water Dances is a bold visionary artistic initiative focused on the critical need for safe drinking water. Already today, there are an estimated 5 million deaths per year globally from polluted water. By 2025, over half the world's population will be facing water-related problems.

Ken Stigler Photography

Photo by Janice T. Sunflower

We began planning for our local event, Global Water Dances - Cincinnati, in June, 2012. We grew into a collaborative group of dancers, choreographers, musicians, composers, singers, visual artists, and environmental activists. We had photographers, filmmakers, and sound engineers helping us out. It was a huge project which culminated on June 22, 2013. We performed as part of Paddlefest/Pedalfest 2013, on the Serpentine Wall of the Ohio River. Our audience included paddlers in canoes and kayaks, people watching from the Purple People Pedestrian Bridge, as well as the audience in the large amphitheater formed by the Serpentine Wall. The photos capture some of the excitement of our local event.