Untitled, The Black Act. 2019

Performance Stills Courtesy of Performa, © Paula Court

“I have, at many times, been a spiral.

An abyss of obscurity, falling deeper into the same patterns; over and over. And somewhere amidst the twisting, turning and reaching that happens when one falls, I find that I am breathing backwards...”

— Kia LaBeija

Kia LaBeija’s Untitled, The Black Act offers a contemporary interpretation of the third act of Oskar Schlemmer’s early Bauhaus performance Triadic Ballet (Das triadische Ballett), 1922. This act is often described as the “black act,” to refer to the fantasy, mysticism, and infinite void of the black stage.

LaBeija’s interpretation expands Schlemmer’s original vision by inserting her own narrative, using 5 artists, Daniella Agosto, Selena Ettienne, Khristina Cayetano, Taína Larot and Terry Lovette — all of whom have played a crucial role in LaBeija’s life — as representations of herself.

Untitled, The Black Act was conceived whilst in residence at Performance Space New York in August 2019. Together with her creative producing partner, Taína Larot, she led a series of movement workshops in order to develop a score organically. By straying away from traditional choreography, she allows a performance that unfolds differently each night, using tasks that are executed in real time. Each performer takes a unique journey through a geography that recalls Schlemmer’s geometric markings and the grid of New York City’s streets.

Working collaboratively as a community was one of the founding principles of the Bauhaus: it was the first art school to have a stage school at its core and envisioned social utopia through multi-disciplinary collaboration between art, dance, theater, music, and utilitarian craft. LaBeija’s collaborators include stylist and designer Kyle Luu who created transformative, architectural costumes that both provoke and restrict movement, whilst simultaneously masking and exposing elements the performers’ physiques.

Music was composed with artist and producer Kenn Michael, who is LaBeija’s brother. RESHI, the software instrument that utilizes healing frequencies, and the brain child of Michael, makes its world premiere with accompaniment on percussion by Warren Benbow, her father.

CREDITS

PERFORMANCE SPACE NEW YORK AND PERFORMA PRESENT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF KIA LABEIJA’S UNTITLED, THE BLACK ACT, NOVEMBER 7-9. Part of Performance Space New York’s Stages Series and the Performa 19 Biennial, LaBeija’s First Large-Scale Performance Work Reinterprets the Final Act of Oskar Schlemmer’s Triadic Ballet.

Artist/Director: Kia LaBeija

Assistant Movement Director and Creative Producer: Taína Larot

Performers: Kia LaBeija, Daniella Agosto, Selena Ettienne, Khristina Cayetano,Taína Larot and Terry Lovette

Music Director and Composition: Kenn Michael

Percussion: Warren Benbow

Costume Design: Kyle Luu

Costume Design Assistant: Tonya Huynh

Costume Fabrication: Jessi Highet

Lighting Design: Christina F. Tang

Curated by: Kathy Noble, Senior Curator, and Job Piston, Special Projects, presented as part of

Performance Space New York’s Stages Series, organized by Pati Hertling. Produced by Maaike Gouwenberg, Producer at Large.

(Untitled) The Black Act is co-commissioned with Performance Space New York and co-produced with The Josie Club - Mickalene Thomas, Racquel Chevremont, Jet Toomer and Nina Chanel Abney. Additional support provided by the Performa Commissioning Fund, Abigail Pucker, Victoria Rogers, Carole Server, and Jane Wesman. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Jerome Foundation. With special thanks to Swarovski.