– For Immediate Release –
July 25, 2010 – Non-profit Day Eight is excited to announce the commencement of Bettmann Dances’ 2nd season, and the development of the company’s new evening length dance project, Quis Custodiet. According to Artistic Director Robert Bettmann, the project explores how we define and pursue security. Bettmann states, “Especially since 9/11, and the financial crisis, I have been grappling with issues of national and personal security, and I know I’m not alone. What can we do to be safe, as individuals and communities, and how does that impact security outside our communities?”
The title for the work is drawn from a phrase by the Greek philosopher Piccarus (6th century B.C.) – Quis Custodet Ipsus Custodiet, which means “who shall watch the watchers themselves?” The piece is an explosive and compelling narrative on security, and also a light-hearted exploration of the dancers relationship to the audience, and curation in the art world.
At the kick off party for the project on Friday July 9th, local dancers and dance supporters celebrated with the company, and community participation is an integral part of the work’s development. Over the coming months Mr. Bettmann and members of the company are offering community dance workshops to hear community voices on these issues. Day Eight is running an online fundraising campaign for Bettmann Dances Quis Custodiet project on Kickstarter.com to raise the funds necessary to complete the project. That campaign will begin the first week of August.
Bettmann Dances first evening length performance – All Good Men – premiered in 2009 at the Capital Fringe Festival. A dance theater adaptation of a Dylan Thomas film-script, All Good Men was hailed in The Examiner as “an example of artistic craftsmanship,” and by audience members as “a vibrant multi-media dance exploration” on the theme of social responsibility.
For Quis Custodiet, choreographer Bettmann is teaming with an accomplished group of collaborators, including renowned glass and video artist Tim Tate (founder of the Washington Glass School).
The company will premiere the first section of Quis Custodiet in a showcase performance with DanceEthos at Joe’s Movement Emporium on Saturday November 20th. For more information visit http://quis.bettmanndances.com
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To download a pdf of the release, click here.