Move.Dwell.Belong.
a Spring 2024 Community Art Project with Artists-in-Residence, DeAnna Pellecchia & Carmen Rizzo
About Move.Dwell.Belong. :
Move.Dwell.Belong. explored the intrinsic value of movement and how it is central to fostering longevity and well-being for all habitats; not just as exercise, but as a modality to engage community, foster empowerment, and manifest belonging.
KAIROS teaching artists DeAnna Pellecchia and Carmen Rizzo worked with URBANO participants over the course of 12 weeks to collaboratively create a 45 minute, site-specific performance piece exploring the lifestyle habits found in all Blue Zones; specifically how dance and movement can foster purpose, stress relief, social networks, long-life, and ultimately, belonging. Utilizing resources including documentaries on Dan Buettner’s “Blue Zone” research, and their own journal writing, the group explored the definition of “happy” and how we, as individuals and as communities, actively seek to attain “happiness” in all its many forms. Students collaboratively produced original movement and text through brainstorming sessions, theater and movement games, writing exercises and group discussions.
The residency culminated in a 45-minute, public performance which was presented both indoors, in Jo-Mé Dance studios in Jamaica Plain, and outdoors, at the Schoolmaster’s Hill in Franklin Park. The site-specificity gave participants and audience the opportunity to experience the direct impact the environment has on the staging and execution of the performance -- i.e. how do we affect our communities and the habitats around us, and how do they affect us?
Special thanks to: May-Lisa and Jo-Mé Studios; Eva, Shalea, Kylee, Jassi and Grace.
About the Artists:
DeAnna Pellechia is the Founder and Artistic Director of KAIROS Dance Theater that creates innovative, contemporary dance performances and interactive workshops that promote art as a threshold for communication and social change. View more of Pellecchia’s work at www.deannapellecchia.com
Carmen Rizzo from São Paulo, Brazil, is a freelance dancer/choreographer currently based in Boston. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Manhattanville College earning highest honors with dual majors in Dance & Theatre (with a concentration in Dance) and Business Management, with a minor in Psychology.