Co. Erasga Dance Presents Accumulation: A Performance at the Crossroads of Art and Environmental Consciousness

Art and activism will combine on stage at Ottawa’s ODD BOX from Thursday, October 24, to Saturday, October 26, as Co. Erasga Dance presents Accumulation, a transcontinental project exploring the intersection of environmental crisis and artistic creation.

The performance promises to be a haunting, visually arresting journey, with choreography and performance by Alvin Erasga Tolentino, accompanied by a team of international artists.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. each night, and the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to fully immerse themselves in the experience.

Accumulation is a timely response to the growing global environmental challenges. It asks poignant questions about humanity’s impact on the natural world. As the title suggests, the performance grapples with the accumulation of waste and debris and the consequences of unchecked consumption.

Tolentino’s choreography engages the human body with the materials we often leave behind—discarded objects, remnants of our consumer culture — a direct confrontation with waste, both literal and figurative. The performance integrates visual art, music, and movement to create a multidimensional reflection on our relationship with the environment while posing the powerful question: “What does the earth ask of us?”

Accumulation is a collaboration between Tolentino and artists from around the world. Composer Emmanuel Mailly, based in France, provides a soundscape that reflects both the industrialized and natural worlds, merging electronic and organic elements to underscore the performance’s themes. French sculptor and visual artist Marc Gerenton contributes to the production with a series of installations that serve as both set and symbolism, evoking the discarded materials that dominate modern life. Meanwhile, New York-based costume designer Meagan Woods creates costumes that mirror the tension between human-made and natural materials, adding another layer of meaning to the dancers’ movements. Canadian lighting designer Tory Ip and stage manager Yasuhiro Okada ensure that the visual and performative elements blend seamlessly on stage.

By blending art and environmental activism, Accumulation asks its audience to consider the consequences of human consumption. In a world increasingly overwhelmed by waste, the performance raises awareness of how art can become a medium for environmental stewardship.

Accumulation also speaks to the universality of environmental concerns. Though the artists hail from different corners of the globe, their work converges around a shared understanding that the ecological crisis is a global issue. It highlights the importance of crossing cultural and disciplinary boundaries to address the challenges we face.

Co. Erasga Dance, founded and led by Tolentino, has long been known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance. Based in Vancouver, the company’s work often engages with social, political, and environmental themes, creating performances that challenge audiences to think critically about the world around them.

Don’t miss the chance to witness a performance that promises to be as thought-provoking as it is visually stunning.

For tickets to any of the three Accumulation performances, click here.

SERIES DANCE 10 #51 Presents: Accumulation

WHEN: Thursday, October 24, Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26, 2024
WHERE: ODD, 2 Daly Avenue (Arts Court)
TIME: Doors open at 7 p.m., performance begins at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: Adults $35, Seniors and Students $25