Herstory of the Universe@ Governors Island (2021) - The first-ever performance commissioned by the Trust for Governors Island featured six site-specific dance performances made especially for six different sites on the Island, designed to call attention to its newly flourishing ecosystems while highlighting its dramatic landscapes.
The Best Dance of 2021 - The New York Times nytimes.com/2021/12/01/arts/dance/best-dance-2021.html
Review - The New York Times - "In ‘Herstory of the Universe,’ Ancient Myths Are Brought to Life" nytimes.com/2021/10/10/arts/dance/herstory-of-the-universe-review.html
From Imagination to Flesh: Richard Move with Nicole Loeffler-Gladstone - The Brooklyn Rail
brooklynrail.org/2021/09/dance/From-Imagination-to-Flesh-Richard-Move-with-Nicole-Loeffler-Gladstone
IMPRESSIONS: Richard Move/MoveOpolis!’s "Herstory of the Universe@Governors Island":
dance-enthusiast.com/features/impressions-reviews/view/Richard-Move-MoveOpolis-Herstory-of-the-Universe-Governors-Island-2021
The Cast: Robyn Cascio, Megumi Eda, Lisa Giobbi w/ Yoni Kallai, Celeste Hastings, PeiJu Chien-Pott, Natasha Diamond-Walker & Gabrielle Willis.
Costumes - Karen Young. Event map - Connie Fleming. Project Assistant - Hilarie Rose Spangler. Site Manager - Donalee Katz. Hair & Makeup - Nicole De Santis. Public Relations - Janet Stapleton.
#1 - Laughing Gull
(Leucophaeus atricilla)
Celeste Hastings
- The laughing gull can be spotted daily along shorelines throughout New York City. It is known for its riotous laughing and braying and also for presenting a significant hazard to aircraft at local airports.
#2 - Devrai
(Sacred Grove)
Megumi Eda
- The Indian word “Devrai” is a compound of Dev meaning 'God' and 'Rai' meaning forest. A prehistoric tradition of nature conservation, sacred groves have long been revered as sacrosanct and imbued with the belief that no creature may be harmed within its boundaries.
#3 - Ascent
Robyn Cascio
- Rising up to 70 feet, Outlook Hill offers both an accessible path and a granite “scramble” for the ascent to the plaza at its summit with 360- degree views of New York harbor. The giant scramble is made entirely of granite blocks from the old Island seawall.
#4 - Demolition Angels
Natasha M. Diamond – Walker and Gabrielle Willis
- To create the Hills, 297,000 cubic yards of fill were added to 10 acres of land. 50,000 cubic yards is made of recycled debris from the demolition of buildings and parking lots on the Island.
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#5 - Amaterasu
PeiJu Chien-Pott
- While most mythic sun gods are traditionally male, Japanese mythology centers on Amaterasu, the Goddess of the Sun. Amaterasu’s story is familiar to mythology as it describes the importance of the sun and the fear of its loss, experienced in cultures around the world.
#6 - Hamadryad
Lisa Giobbi with Yoni Kallai
- The dryads, or nymphs of the trees, were among the most famous spirits of Greek mythology; described as beautiful, wild and fond of dancing. Unlike other nymphs, the Hamadryad’s lives were bound to the life of an individual tree. If their tree was killed or cut down, their own life would end.