Landscapes is a suite of solos and duets inspired by the form, texture, and colors of Takaezu’s glazed ceramic forms. Performed in and amongst Isamu Noguchi’s late stone works, Landscapes also serves as a reflection of the unique cross connections between Takaezu and Noguchi’s work and the choreographer’s personal connection to both artists. As a child, Burgess met both Takaezu and Noguchi through their friendship with his parents, visual artists Joe and Anna Kang Burgess. He has drawn inspiration from their work ever since; like Takaezu and Noguchi, Burgess’ artistic process explores his cultural heritage in both content and form, centering themes such as belonging in choreography that fuses traditional Korean dance with ballet and contemporary techniques. 

Landscapes will feature the music of Leilehua Lanzilotti, Kanaka Maoli sound artist, composer, and co-curator of Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within. In addition to performing to Lanzilotti’s composition with eyes the color of time (2020), recorded by the String Orchestra of Brooklyn, DTSBDC will respond to live activations of Takaezu’s bronze Bell performed by Lanzilotti. Dancers will wear original costumes by Icelandic artist Sigrid Johannesdöttir.

Dana Tai Soon Burgess is the first ever choreographer in residence of the Smithsonian Institution. He is currently based at the National Portrait Gallery. His interest in the intersection of the visual arts and dance has resulted in commissions from the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Kreeger Museum, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the National Gallery of Art, among others. Burgess is the founding artistic director of Washington, DC’s premiere modern dance company. Now in its 31st season, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC) creates and performs modern dance works that explore the universal language of dance, and cultural and artistic confluence—the flowing together of original stories, diverse perspectives, histories, and traditions. DTSBDC is a national leader in new collaboration between visual arts museums and the performing arts. The repertoire often focuses on the “hyphenated” person in America—those of mixed ethnic or cultural heritage—and the desire to belong in society. DTSBDC is a culturally diverse company whose performances uplift, inspire, and bring new insights to seasoned dance lovers and new audiences alike in Washington, DC, across the United States, and around the world. dtsbdc.org

Leilehua Lanzilotti is a Kanaka Maoli composer / sound artist. A “leading composer-performer” (New York Times), Lanzilotti’s work is characterized by expansive explorations of timbre. Lanzilotti’s practice explores radical indigenous contemporaneity, integrating community engagement into the heart of projects. By world-building through multimedia installation works and nontraditional concert experiences/musical interventions, Lanzilotti’s works activate imagination around new paths forward in language sovereignty, water sovereignty, land stewardship, and respect. Uplifting others by crafting projects that support both local communities and economy, the work inspires hope to continue. She is a co-curator of the exhibition Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within. For a complete bio, please visit leilehualanzilotti.com.