Studies Project: Memory Moves!

Memory lives. In our body cells, chakras, synapses.

Memory moves. Our minds, limbs, souls, releasing tension, inspiration, communication.

How can we understand painful pasts, stand in a meaningful present and move towards livable futures? How can historical/personal memories be transformed into charismatic and empowering stories?

This gathering explores the words, images, sounds and movements of cultural memory through dance performances, talks, poetry and multimedia. Memory Moves! includes multiracial, queer and diasporic perspectives in a common timespace at the intersection of performance art and performance studies. On the program: flavorful emotions and stirring reflections.

This project is organized by Dr. laYla Zami, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Performance + Performance Studies MFA Program at Pratt Institute, in collaboration with students (listed below) currently enrolled in the Performing Memory course. Other special guest participants will be Oxana Chi and Sheldon Raymore.

Studies Project Participants:

Oxana Chi, Sheldon Raymore, Dr. laYla Zami, and Performing Memory students: Kat Brown, Asia Bryant-Wilkerson, 江峰 Jiang Feng, Renae Govinda, J. Alex Mathews, Waqia Kareem, Jake Kevrick, Mora-Amina Parker, Sarah Pletcher, Victor Spielberg Verdejo

Readings and related material:

Entre Nous: Between Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore – Tirza True Latimer

The Theorist and the Theorized: Indigenous Critiques of Performance Studies – Stephanie Nohelani Teves

Terry Boddie, Visual Artist – learn more about Terry Boddie's work exploring memory, migration and globalization here.

Moving Memory International Symposium curated by laYla Zami and Oxana Chi