PUSH Dance Company’s SANCTUARY Grand Opening
Do you ever find yourself wondering what the potential discriminatory outcomes of AI technology in the judicial system are for people of African decent? Raissa Simpson, the Artistic Director of PUSH Dance Company thinks about it a lot. Dangers have already arisen with AI regarding inevitable biases that endanger members of a community already susceptible to a flawed legal system. “To be post human and constantly in a state of performing is to be Black because we’re in the multiverse and constantly questioning our identity as we live within systemic racism and algorithms designed to police our speech and bodies,” says Simpson.
Raissa Simpson practices in PUSH Dance’s new space at 447 Minna. Photo by Vita Hewitt
On October 15th Simpson, along with other performers, will take on these issues and more. Utilizing dance and technology at their new BIPOC Artists Sanctuary home at 447 Minna in San Francisco.
Photo by Matt Haber.
The show will feature the world premiere of an Artificial Intelligence site- specific dance work Performable Post-humanism by Simpson and new work by Associate Artistic Director Ashley Gayle. Well known local choreographers Snowflake Calvert’s Seeds/Sequence, and Farah Yasmeen Shaikh’s Noorani Dance add to the line up.
PUSH offers a place for dancers from all backgrounds to explore and perfect their art. “We are based in contemporary dance but hire dancers outside of that particular genre. I think we’re a group for everyone that holds space for People of the Global Majority.” says Simpson.
Photo By Vita Hewitt.
The dances often touch on tough social issues. Simpson is able to crystalize these truths into a pieces of art. “Dance is really having a new resurgence as a medium to highlight racial, economic and social issues. We’re looking at technology through the Black experience and how AI is being used in the judicial system. As a woman of Black mixed heritage, it is meaningful to see stories like these reach a public arena where they can be seen and discussed.” Simpson tells me.
A piece choreographed by Hector Jaime as part of PUSH’s BASE residency earlier this year. Photo by Vita Hewitt.
The Sanctuary Grand Opening features site-specific dances on all four levels of the multi-tenant arts hub at the Community Arts Stabilization Trust building and the neighboring Parks at 5M outdoor stage. Tickets are $50, $35, $30, and $15 with a special post-show talk moderated by Bhumi Patel. For tickets go to www.pushdance.org/sanctuary
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