PRESS
"'Mapping Idyllwild,' a site-specific performance tour"
Stephan Koplowitz: TASKFORCE (IDYLLWILD):
Mapping Idyllwild
(2008)
A CONCEPTUAL SITE-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE TOUR OF IDYLLWILD, ITS HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY
Director/Choreographer/Site Artist Stephan Koplowitz brings his dance company TaskForce to Idyllwild Arts and the community of Idyllwild for Mapping Idyllwild, a series of site-specific performances.
In residence for two weeks the group worked in the scenic mountains of Idyllwild, California creating and performing pieces that trace the history of the village and respond to the more natural environment of that area before moving on to a four week stay in the greater urban Los Angeles region.
Taskforce explores Idyllwild’s history through site-specific performances at various locations around the town. The sites chosen have historical implications and significance, and help to tell the story of how Idyllwild came to be. As TaskForce journeys through and around Idyllwild, the dancers highlight elements of the town’s history that have given the place character and have made it what it is today. From Native American legend to tourism to wilderness adventures, the company moves, weaves and explores.
HABITAT
An hour-long performance installation in the 12 A-frame practice rooms on the Idyllwild Arts campus, called "The Troys". Conceived through a collaboration with Idyllwild Arts faculty, Denise Felton and Stephanie Gilliland.
GALLERY
VIDEO
IDYLLWILD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Idyllwild Area Historical Society, whose 1920s era cabin was one of the first built in Idyllwild, is the guardian of Idyllwild's unique history. TaskForce teams with Herb Jeffries, poet, actor, jazz legend and local Idyllwild resident, and moves to his poetry as they dance and explore the notable property of the Historical Society.
GALLERY
DEVIL'S SLIDE TRAIL HEAD AT HUMBER PARK
Under the shadow of Idyllwild’s biggest icon, Tahquitz (Lily) Rock, TaskForce will perform a structured improvisational dance through the rocks and woods of the San Jacinto National Forest. Accompanied by the singing of Idyllwild's favorite local group, Local Color, TaskForce will inspire to translate the beauty and majesty of the forest around them through movement and sound.
GALLERY
THE FORT
In the center of town, on one of the most dominating structures in Idyllwild, TaskForce endeavors to challenge the way The Fort, the local shopping "mall", is viewed. Performing on the balconies and pathways of The Fort, TaskForce is joined by dancers from the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, under the direction of April Rhodes.
GALLERY
INSPIRATION POINT
Against the backdrop of one of the most inspiring views in Idyllwild, TaskForce "maps" out their exploration of Idyllwild through an improvisational dance that incorporates water to score their movements. Enhanced by the visual installation work of the local visual artists Judith Schonebaum and Hannah Ruskin, the performance transforms "The Point" in ways that frequenters could never imagine.
GALLERY
TOWN HALL
Performing on both the inside and outside stage at Town Hall, the dancers move, inspired by their explorative journey through this small mountain town. The audience has the opportunity to view the performance from both the inside and outside, using the Town Hall structure as never before. The video installation of Annika Kay, Idyllwild resident, helps to transform this community building in a new and unique way.
GALLERY
