Formica in Virtual Dance at the Fringe

David Gordon, “The Philadelphia Matter 1972/2020.” Virtual Performer and Photo: Bethany Formica

Dancer Bethany Formica of Swarthmore is performing virtually in David Gordon’s new work “The Philadelphia Matter 1972/2020” at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Gordon, a celebrated choreographer who is now 84, invited 30-plus Philadelphia artists working remotely to record video material on everything from iPhones to professional cameras. He then dissected, assembled, and collaged this material together with archival work in collaboration with video artist Jorge Cousineau. Bethany Formica writes:

I’m thankful to have had work as an artist during a pandemic, together with so many incredible artists (all working from our individual homes). It’s been a wild process. David Gordon sent us black-and-white videos from 1972-76. We had a designated number of hours to learn several dances and then send back videos of one accurate (or what we thought was an accurate) version of the dance, and also an alternative version. The assignments were not very specific; we had a lot of freedom as performers in how we created the videos. We did not see anyone else’s content. We had no idea what had made it into the final work.

“The Philadelphia Matter 1972/2020” is streaming for free through October 4 at swat.ink/dance-fringe.