Arts and Letters

In October, choreographer Jonathan González (b. 1991, New York, NY) premieres Spectral Dances in the Library, Members’ Room, hallways, and stairwells of Arts and Letters—spaces historically open only to Arts and Letters members. To make the work, González collaborated with a cast of six Black performers (Rena Anakwe, Wayne Arthur, Chazz Giovanni, Kris Lee, Lysis, and Katrina Reid). It continues his artistic exploration of the afterlives of slavery, the built environment, and Blackness as non-performance.

Spectral Dances, which refers to ghostlike dance or dance with ghosts, is an improvisational work that asks its cast to respond to unseen aspects of Arts and Letters—what González thinks of as its hauntings. Performers react to windows, doors, and gaps between bodies; they shadow one another and the audience. What is absent, excluded, and unseen finds visibility through their movements.

The performance runs for four hours and moves between spaces on the second floor of Arts and Letters. The audience may enter and exit as they please at any point during the performance.

González will be in conversation with architect Mario Gooden following the performance on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Space for the conversation is limited, please RSVP here.

Spectral Dances is organized by Kristin Poor, Curator, and supported by a grant from the MAP Fund. Additional support is provided by the Wolf Kahn Foundation and the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts. Thanks to The Kitchen for lending equipment for the performance.

RSVP for the performance.