Collected, Traces and Still Here

Aug. 21

Co.ERASGA’s 16th season presents the company’s newest ensemble creation choreographed by critically acclaimed Vancouver choreographer, Alvin Erasga Tolentino.

Featuring seven outstanding dancers from Vancouver and Manila, Tolentino’s quest in this new creation recalls and traces transcendent principle of the body’s relation to indigenous traditional arts. This full evening of two debut works embodies the use of an indigenous fabric called “Malong” and an ancient hand gesture “Mudras”, which become the source of inspiration to look back and pay homage to Tolentino’s Asian indigenous roots.

The dancers are the canvasses of motion which evoke traditional practices still relevant and existing today, giving light to the shadow of the past, memory in the body and lineage of identity.

Mudras: an ancient hand gesture that holds a sacred and medicinal effect on the body.

Malong: a Filipino indigenous fabric used in daily life.

Semiotically and metaphorically these languages of traditional arts awaken genetic memory. The seven dancers in these pieces help to expose the body to attain and reach the expression of the physical and metaphysical.

Collected Traces and Still Here brings traditions alive creating a dynamic continuation, of an offering to transport Tolentino’s new visionary dance, and honours and reveals his rich ancient ancestral heritage.