Haikeus: Transmuting Ecological Grieving into Action

Haikeus: Dancers: Coley Curry, Jenny Gerena, Liliana Gomez, Zarina Mendoza, and Halley Willcox. Photo: Coley Curry

HAIKEUS (translated from Finnish as “a sense of simultaneous sadness and gratitude”) is a trans-disciplinary performance project that investigates our complex emotional responses to climate change, environmental destruction, and social unrest. Using the power of art making, sustainability science research, and community engagement, the project brings together artists and scientists to explores ways to come into better balance with ourselves, our communities, and the natural environment, transmuting ecological grieving into action.

At the core of our research lie three key questions: (1) How can we better understand our responses to environmental destruction—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—and move beyond paralyzing reactions towards action? (2) How can we draw on trans-disciplinary knowledge to cultivate a connection to home, place, and each other? (3) What can we learn from other cultures and traditions to help us reimagine our relationship to the earth and point us towards the Symbiocene, or “the period of re-integration between humans and the rest of nature” (Albrecht).

COLLABORATORS

Mary Fitzgerald (Choreography and Design)

Scott Cloutier (Sustainability Science and Research)

Galina Mihaleva (Costume and Visual Design)

Barry Moon (Music and Sound Installation)

Nicole Bradley Browning (Dance Artist/Creator and Performer)

Jenny Gerena (Dance Artist/Creator and Performer)

Liliana Gomez (Dance Artist/Creator and Performer)

Sydney Jackson (Dance Artist/Creator and Performer)

Zarina Mendoza (Dance Artist/Creator and Performer)

Halley Willcox (Dance Artist/Creator and Performer)

[All of the dance artists and collaborators involved in this project have contributed to the creation of the choreography and concept. The original cast included Coley Curry. Haikeus: Field II also was performed by a group of ASU dancers, Imani Etter, Monique Kelley, Maddie Lasco, Alex Solano, and Suzanna Varela, who contributed to the development of the choreography in this section.]

The development of Haikeus has been made possible by grants from The Leonardo Institute (Seize the Moment) at Arizona State University and Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Informal Showing of Haikeus: Field I. Dancers: Coley Curry, Jenny Gerena, Liliana Gomez, Zarina Mendoza, and Halley Willcox.

Above: Performance of Haikeus: Field II. Dancers (Original Cast): Coley Curry, Jenny Gerena, Liliana Gomez, Zarina Mendoza, and Halley Willcox. Photos: Nathan Pallance. Lighting Design: Ashley Costumes: Cari Smith.

Below: Performance of Haikeus: Field II. Dancers (ASU Cast): Imani Etter, Monique Kelley, Maddie Lasco, Alex Solano, and Suzanna Varela. Photos: Tim Trumble. Lighting Design: Carolyn Koch. Costumes: Cari Smith.