Looking at swimming as the epitome of confidence, Dana wonders why she still can't swim, despite having taken lessons for many years. And why can't anyone in her family swim (even though they're originally from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia)? Is there some kind of invisible epidemic that means a large percentage of the black population can't swim? How can we feel confident and safe in the world when we can't float in the liquid that makes up most of us? The piece will be a solo, and will probably be performed in an ambulatory space, perhaps even in a swimming pool.
© Richmond Lam
Dana Michel is a live artist whose work interacts with the expanded field of choreography, sculpture, comedy, and poetry. Based in Montreal, she is currently touring four solo performance works: Yellow Towel, Mercurial George, Cutlass Spring, and Mike. To this day, she has been awarded five major prizes in recognition of her outstanding work, including a Silver Lion for innovation in Dance at the Venice Biennale.