A Muse Was Here

Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth is creating a special dance event for the exhibition "All The World's A Stage" in celebration of the opening of the new Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.

A MUSE WAS HERE: musing on artistic inspiration in the MUSEum is an original work designed to bring the exhibition to life while reflecting on the sisterly relationship of all of the arts. The important role of inspiration and creativity in human experience is clear throughout history, and yet we have little knowledge as to how or why we are inspired to create art or participate in the arts, whether as a creator or audience member. Artists frequently do not know where their best inspirations come from... the ideas simply come to them. In Greek mythology, the muses were believed to be the true source of inspiration, creativity, and learning. The muses might speak through us as vessels for the expression of the divine. They were also frequently associated with water, springs, and fountains, and were sometimes referred to as water nymphs. The history of the "museum" itself is based in muse mythology. The word "muse-um" is derived from museion or mousaion -- a place where the muses were worshipped. The words "amuse" "musing" and "music" also derive from theses goddesses of ancient stories. Utilizing the imagery of muses, choreographer Kerry Kreiman and members of the Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth company are creating a unique performance piece designed to highlight the universal nature of creative inspiration across cultures and across art forms. Costume designer Crickett Pettigrew and prop designer Michael Pettigrew are contributing elements reinforcing the idea of "transformation" in performance and ritual, a theme which is highlighted within the exhibition. In addition to expressing these ideas through the basic elements of movement, costumes, and props, the company is collaborating with photographer Milton Adams to create a series of photos to be projected during the dance. These photos will feature dancers dressed as muses at locations throughout the community near sites and activities representing artistic inspiration.

Info from the dance company's site