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Oracle 2019 in review:
At a Zikr Dance Ensemble performance, you will not know what you are seeing. You will be able to identify isolated elements such as accomplished dancers, abstract video projections, trompe l’oeil costuming and elaborate set pieces, but the whole that results from these parts is inexplicable. Whether or not you believe in magic, it is created before you, through a combination of creative energy, intention, and people power. Zikr’s company members are an impressive group, outstanding both individually and together. It is such a pleasure to be able to note dancers’ unique strengths and attributes as well as see what happens in couple and group settings. This is a credit to the choreographer as well as the dancers, as the choreographer creates the opportunities that the dancers fulfill. The power of the evening’s experience lay in the work of these and other people. Onstage and off; before, during, and after; seen and unseen, a multitude of hands is behind the smallest effect. In Oracle, onrushing storm clouds made of billows of fabric are drawn across the stage by running people. A gold-headed prophet rises into the air, lifted by the strong arms and hands of people. In Runes, standing stones (made by people) carved with runes reorder themselves into various combinations, stealthily moved by people. It seems clear that David Taylor has considered the potential for cultural education through dance. Taylor has done his research and works to act respectfully in this use, and it is important that the audience/consumer does this work as well.
Jane E. Werle, Presenting Denver, April 12, 2021
Continuing his vivid choreographic illuminations of ancient spiritual wisdom, David Taylor, Zikr Dance Ensemble's artistic director, presented the world premiere of his newest creation, which lifts the veil from our various ideological illusions to reveal the unity and connectivity of all things. Much of Taylor's work comes to him from outside sources in visions which, in this case, were inspired and structured around the four ages of human evolution as conceived in Hindu cosmology, spread over 11 scenes. The striking multiple images of Hathor, one of the supreme Egyptian goddesses, crowned with orange sun disks and horns, leads her devotees, the ensemble, toward a portal in which the veil of "separation consciousness" is lifted, with humanity achieving "unity consciousness." Against a backdrop of the cosmos, and vocals drawn from Christian, Arabic, Buddhist, and Hindu chanting, we move through the ages, cosmic-scale lapses of time, experiencing an array of conflicts (underscored by the powerful animations accompanying the dance) rooted in separation engendered by spiritual ignorance. Taylor brings these metaphysical forces down to earth in an enrapturing choreographic tale of a young girl who was abused, and finds no satisfaction in her relationships, two with males and one with another female. Higher beings/spirit guides/guardian angels are trying to help her release the pain. In describing this story, Taylor points out that despite the painful personal and collective pain we experience, which enforce a dualistic view of life, these higher forces are always at work, providing lessons, if we're willing to hear them.
…..(through the rest of the program)…Taylor continues his exploration of the kinetic, aesthetic, and spiritual nexuses created via symbology in well-chosen samples of his work: Time’s Up, Parallel and Elevated, Runes and Oracle, along with two of the Gurdjieff Sacred Movements, Walking Prayer and Note Values. Spanning from 1999 to the present, these works provide visceral and thoughtful stepping stones to Lifting The Veil.
Bob Bows, Colorado Drama, April 22, 2021
“Oracle is a masterpiece of contemporary dance. The choreography held athleticism in strict service to uncommonly graceful and evocative movement in every performance. Stage craft transformed each set piece into an otherworldly experience. I'm sure your artists felt satisfied and honored by their performance on Sunday at the Lakewood Cultural Center, as I can assure you that we, the audience, unconditionally were, as well. Bravo, David, to you and your team. I look forward to seeing Oracle again.”
Gene Sobczak, Former Executive Director, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, former Executive Director, The Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Director, PROTEA | success navigation for nonprofits
June 3, 2019
Jane E. Werle, Presenting Denver, April 12, 2021
Continuing his vivid choreographic illuminations of ancient spiritual wisdom, David Taylor, Zikr Dance Ensemble's artistic director, presented the world premiere of his newest creation, which lifts the veil from our various ideological illusions to reveal the unity and connectivity of all things. Much of Taylor's work comes to him from outside sources in visions which, in this case, were inspired and structured around the four ages of human evolution as conceived in Hindu cosmology, spread over 11 scenes. The striking multiple images of Hathor, one of the supreme Egyptian goddesses, crowned with orange sun disks and horns, leads her devotees, the ensemble, toward a portal in which the veil of "separation consciousness" is lifted, with humanity achieving "unity consciousness." Against a backdrop of the cosmos, and vocals drawn from Christian, Arabic, Buddhist, and Hindu chanting, we move through the ages, cosmic-scale lapses of time, experiencing an array of conflicts (underscored by the powerful animations accompanying the dance) rooted in separation engendered by spiritual ignorance. Taylor brings these metaphysical forces down to earth in an enrapturing choreographic tale of a young girl who was abused, and finds no satisfaction in her relationships, two with males and one with another female. Higher beings/spirit guides/guardian angels are trying to help her release the pain. In describing this story, Taylor points out that despite the painful personal and collective pain we experience, which enforce a dualistic view of life, these higher forces are always at work, providing lessons, if we're willing to hear them.
…..(through the rest of the program)…Taylor continues his exploration of the kinetic, aesthetic, and spiritual nexuses created via symbology in well-chosen samples of his work: Time’s Up, Parallel and Elevated, Runes and Oracle, along with two of the Gurdjieff Sacred Movements, Walking Prayer and Note Values. Spanning from 1999 to the present, these works provide visceral and thoughtful stepping stones to Lifting The Veil.
Bob Bows, Colorado Drama, April 22, 2021
“Oracle is a masterpiece of contemporary dance. The choreography held athleticism in strict service to uncommonly graceful and evocative movement in every performance. Stage craft transformed each set piece into an otherworldly experience. I'm sure your artists felt satisfied and honored by their performance on Sunday at the Lakewood Cultural Center, as I can assure you that we, the audience, unconditionally were, as well. Bravo, David, to you and your team. I look forward to seeing Oracle again.”
Gene Sobczak, Former Executive Director, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, former Executive Director, The Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Director, PROTEA | success navigation for nonprofits
June 3, 2019