Sapphire is a movement-based odyssey pushing visceral, super-sonic modalities into sensorial non-fiction fantasies. This work invites witnesses into the world of Sapphire, a time traveling golden goddess moving through moments that police and celebrate the essence and experience of Black women in the United States. Told through an Afro-futuristic lens, this non-linear narrative displays humanity canvassed in an evolving constellation of identity. It pulsates through the objectified, the dehumanized, the powerful, and the magical. Sapphire is a reflection to see you and see through you...a vessel of celestial intimacy, love, ferocity, grief, and audacity.
Scroll down to read about the journey so far and what more we have in store!
Sapphire was developed, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC); Movement Research Artist in Residence Program; Bogliasco Foundation Fellowship; Dancing While Black Fellowship; Gibney Work Up program, and Actors Fund Summer Push Grant.
Special Thanks To Amanda G, Amy G-D, Andre D, Andreia P-C, Benedict N, Brendan D, Brianna T, Carey P, Charmaine W, Coco K, Colby B, Dan K, Davalois F, Dave R, Denise Shu, Diana G, Diego S, Edisa W, Erik B, Erin B, Erin D-D, Evelyn R, Fernando M, Greta H, Heidi D, Emana B, George E-S, Isabella P, Italy W, J. B, Jacqui D, Jazelynn G, Javier R, Jesse L, Jodi B, John P, Joshua K, Joya P, Karen B, Kate L, Kathy P, Katt B, Kay O, Kendra R, Konrad M, Kristopher P, Kyoko S, Laura H, Laurie B, Lori S, Lucy S, Maile H, Maya G, Monica G, Marion S, Marisa F, Marya W, Maya Z, Melanie G, Michael S, Michael T, Naja G, Nana C, Nancy N, Nia L, Nicole A, Page A, Pepper F, Pia M, Rachel K, Remi H, Ricardo V,Roxy G, Russell B-A, Sandra S-G, Sara R, Shaina/Bryan B, Stephanie M, Sylvia M, Taja Lindley, Tal Y, Tara S, Tommy D, Tony T, Trina M, Ursula E, Vanessa A, Zachai K-S, Zave M
Sapphire Chronicles is a series of dance-inspired tales pushing visceral, super-sonic modalities into literary realities. These short stories offer a variety of journey perspectives for Sapphire, a time traveling golden goddess moving through moments that police and celebrate the essence and experience of Black women in the United States. Told through an Afro-futuristic lens, a collection of non-linear narratives display humanity canvassed in an evolving constellation of Black feminine identity. It pulsates through the objectified, the dehumanized, the powerful, and the magical. Sapphire is a reflection to see you and see through you...a vessel of celestial intimacy, love, ferocity, grief, and audacity.
Sapphire Cosmology is a gallery installation and performance, adding another layer to the Sapphire Universe.
Sapphire Dance Film is a short dance film odyssey pushing visceral, super-sonic modalities into sensorial realities. This digital offering locates Sapphire outside of traditional performance spaces to consider how Sapphire and witness activate a world beyond the ephemeral.
I greatly appreciate your encouragement and support of Sapphire throughout the years. This work feels important, timely, and done in collaboration with you. If you've been to any of my performance offerings of this work, you know it lives in conversation with you and there are a variety of ways to continuing supporting this work (see upcoming project list above) and the community of talented artists who make this work possible. You can tell a friend, contribute via Patreon and Paypal below and/or, be in conversation about other ways to support (time, resources, space, a listening ear). If you have questions or considerations, please message me at methodsofperception (at) gmail.com.
Onward!