Choreo Flora

(November 2015)

This student project was a collaboration between Jay Ruland and Sarah and Megan (S.A.M.) Lysgaard. Jay Ruland is a photographer living and working in the Grass Valley / Nevada City area. He met S.A.M. while they all were attending San Jose State University in San Jose, California. Together, we created an unforgettable performance for Jay's advancement to candidacy (ATC) required exhibition at San Jose State University. This was the collaboration that inspired S.A.M. to co-found Language of Life - Art & Dance.
 

The flowers in Jay's “Withering Rose” series are past their prime. They are at serious risk of the trash bin. In our youth-obsessed society, most images of aging or decay are met with revulsion. But if one’s gaze lingers, without judgment, then the simple beauty of the aging process might be seen. This correlates directly with how we treat those around us who are aged. As a society, we push them to the side, ignore, and otherwise disregard their place in our social order. That (dis)placement is not simply disregarding the sum of their contributions to our world, but even what they mean to us now. We’d just rather not think about it. But what does it mean to lose one’s youth? Or even one’s life? There is beauty in the natural process of aging. We turn away from images of decay because we don’t wish to see them; we don’t wish to think of it. But as each day passes, we are getting closer to sitting in that chair or lying in that bed.

The exhibition consisted of Jay’s framed works, hanging banners, and three dances, all choreographed by Megan, two duets, and a solo. The choreography was inspired by many things, however, ageism, decay, growth, and nature were dominating themes, all of which were abstracted into the language of dance. The dances made to be performed in an art gallery, deeply immersed the audience. We sought to ask the audience to cognitively restructure how society has viewed the middle-aged population. Even if society is forever harsh, never forget to find the strength to continue down a path of growth, and not put oneself, “at serious risk of the trash bin.” 

CREDITS

Artist: Jay Ruland

Curator: Sarah Lysgaard

Choreographer: Megan Lysgaard

Videographer: Rick English