Ever since I was little, I’ve always been a copy cat. Just ask my older sister. I learn best from watching other people and trying on their clothes, their ideas, their movements. I find much inspiration from work that’s been copied. Whether its a mash up, a collage, a pastiche, a remix, a mixtape, a photocopied ‘zine, I’m inspired by the magic of anything involving the process of copy, cut, and paste.
For the styles project, I’ve projected images and shamelessly danced with the styles of other members of MomoButoh company.
Copying another’s style in this way may seem absurd. I could never really copy the dance of Momo or Lee or Rev or Carolyn no matter how hard I tried.
Still, when I dance with you, and try on your style, something appears in the dance as unique, distinct, original and authentic. In my awkward attempts to look like you, to mimic your moves, to dance your dance, an original style peeks through. My original voice can’t help but sing loud and clear when I copy you.
And when I appear in your style, I get out of my own way. Style becomes the container for the singular voice I may not have known that I had.
In this way, I participate in your act of creation and you in mine.
Style becomes the container where I can create. Even when the style is copied.
In container of your style I get a chance show up as real.
Camera by Heidi Madsen Music for Violin by Liz Landis
