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This week we featured Alex|Xan: the Median Movement as they bring us a fascinating study on the theme of "Lies" in response to Ecclesiastes 4:10-11.

Ecclesiastes 4:10-11

A Study in Lying

By 

Alex|Xan: the Median Movement

Credits: 

Curated by: 

Emily Dishman

2013

Dance

Image by Giorgio Trovato

Primary Scripture

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The film features a woman set against two backgrounds. One is a bed and one is a hanging sheet. They are deceptively similar, but the bed provides sturdy support while the sheet gives way under the pressure of a falling body. It flaps and flies and flounders. As one goes to “lie down” onto it, its lies are revealed in the fall. But this does not stop the dancer from trying, from falling, from trusting. We must take the risks of falling, of letting go, and trust and believe that we will be helped up. We must give in to know trust at all. There is not so much a resolve in this short film, but rather the constant questioning of one’s faith and one’s belief in the greater good – a study among many lifelong studies.

Spark Notes

The Artist's Reflection

XAN BURLEY a native of Youngstown, OH and a graduate of the University of Michigan (BDA Dance; BA English), is an active performer, creator, teacher, and arts administrator. She has had the great pleasure of working with artists and companies such as Nancy Bannon, Daniel Charon Dance, Shannon Gillen + Guests, Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance, Donnell Oakley, Leyya Tawil/Dance Elixir, and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, among others. She joined Doug Varone and Dancers in 2012. Xan also acts as co-producer of WAXworks. She has held teaching positions at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Echange, Cora School for Dance, PAVE Academy Charter School, and Poly Prep Performing Arts Camp and is currently on faculty at the 92Y. She occasionally teaches technique for professionals at Dance New Amsterdam, Triskelion Arts, and the Playground. (photo by Vesa Loikas)


Alex Springer originally from Farmington Hills, MI, is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and video editor. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Dance and a minor in Movement Science he joined Doug Varone and Dancers in 2008. He has enjoyed working with Alexandra Beller, Amy Chavasse, Elizabeth Dishman, Leyya Tawil/Dance Elixir and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Additionally, Alex has staged Varone’s work for various companies and universities and has taught at the Bates Dance Festival, the 92Y, Dance New Amsterdam, the Playground, and Triskelion Arts. He is the co-producer of WAXworks and the company manager/media archivist/video designer for Doug Varone and Dancers. (photo by Vesa Loikas)


The Median Movement is the artistic intersection between Xan Burley + Alex Springer. This husband and wife team has been working together for almost 10 years. Since 2008, they have shown work in NYC at the 92Y, DanceNOW[NYC], the TANK, Triskelion Arts, Movement Research at Judson Church, Brooklyn Arts Exchange/BAX, Rooftop Dance, among other venues. They won the 2011 DanceNOW[NYC] Joe’s Pub Encore Challenge, and they were selected as a 2011 BAX Space Grant Artist. Their choreography can also be seen in the feature length film Frances Ha (2013). They have been commissioned to create work by the Oakland Dance Theater (MI), Cora Youth Company (NY), the Collective (MD), and Ohio University (OH). They have taught master classes in modern technique, partnering, composition, improvisation, creative movement for young children, movement for actors, and dance film. They also create dance for the camera and have screened their film work at various festivals including Moviehouse, WESTfest, the Flea, Motion Captured, and currently on Hulu as part of TenduTV’s Essential Dance Film. www.theMedianMovement.com (photo by Ian Douglas)



Alex|Xan: the Median Movement

About the Artist

Alex|Xan: the Median Movement

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