The Jacob Lawrence Project
Jacob Lawrence was one of the great artists of the 20th century, a distinction he earned early in his career with the widely recognized narrative series "The Migration of the Negro". Lawrence documented the history of a people with vibrant color, form, motion and humanity.
—DCDC
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s The Jacob Lawrence Project, better known as colôr-ógraphy, n. The Dances of Jacob Lawrence or simply Color-ography, brings together an amazing array of talent, both past and present. The powerful and timeless paintings of the late Jacob Lawrence, the visionary work of the late Jeraldyne Blunden, and the innovative choreography of Donald Byrd, Rennie Harris, Kevin Ward and Reggie Wilson are all brought to life by the dancers of DCDC for an unforgettable multi-faceted performance. DCDC commissioned the work to celebrate Black History Month, February 2007.
These artists have drawn their inspiration from the canvas, and combined powerful choreography with video projections and music ranging from traditional Banda-Dakpa from the Central African Republic, to the unmistakable jazz of Sarah Vaughan and the techno stylings of Moby, among others including Bent, Bigga Bush, Amatoso Makaota and Zapp Mama.
—DCDC on colôr-ógraphy, n. The Dances of Jacob Lawrence
The Lied Center of Kansas in Lawrence will host the performance as part of a 20-city premiere tour. Some of Jacob Lawrence’s most famous works, especially the series Migration, have been the stimulus for this uniquely commemorative production. Kevin Ward, Artistic Director of DCDC, created the vision and chose the choreographers and designers for the project. It supports DCDC’s mission to “deliver contemporary dance of the highest quality to the broadest possible audience.”
It's hard not to notice where choreography connects to cultural roots—in bodies bent forward, in footwork that caresses the floor rather than using it only as a springboard into the air, in the manner so many of these dancers lift their heads and stretch their arms upward and outward—in expressions of prayer, of thanks, of striving.
—danceviewtimes on DCDC