Project Description

Urban Ikebana was a collaborative project that brought J Mandle Performance together with two artists, Akihiro Kasuya, Neil Tetkowski. In the Gallery, large unfired clay circles dominated the space, around these circles were dancers, and above the clay mandalas Kasuya suspended three ikebana arrangements combining natural and man-made objects.

According to Kasuya, "ikebana is about the relationship between nature and art, but also about an expanded definition of nature that embraces all human actions and creations, including technology. The modern art of ikebana is a journey into a modern concept of nature."

Four dancers carried objects around the Gallery, through the audience, and to the installation artists. A sound score of vibrating electrical static, designed by j mandle performance filled the room. The bodies of two female dancers interlocked between the frame of a black ladder. They slowly arranged the ladder for Kasuya and pulled cool blue lights from the floor.

As the performers exited the gallery, they entered the urban environment outside. Inside the ikebana arrangements were suspended above the audience and the tension in the gallery was eased. The performance ended when the dancers departed in yellow taxi cabs.