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World Premiere of The Metamorphoses a choreographic installation by Jonah Bokaer Choreography at the Glass House

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – On the occasion of its 10th Anniversary as a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Glass House is pleased to present the World Premiere of The Metamorphoses, a new choreographic installation conceived by Jonah Bokaer Choreography. Inspired by Ovid’s eponymous poem, The Metamorphoses will be staged specifically for the unique architecture and landscape of the Glass House site. The modular project will explore themes of disappearance, migration, water, forgotten peoples, and the way in which these ancient stories still resonate in the present.

In The Metamorphoses, Bokaer explores the theme of water, a central element in the 15 books of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Each movement in the piece will take place around a symbolic site: the pond, the pool, the lake, the library, and the painting gallery, as well as pastoral spaces. Eight solo performers, carefully staged, encourage the ambulation of the public from one site to another. The performance will feature costume design by Joshua Katcher of Brave GentleMan and sound design by Stavros Gasparatos.

The work is danced by Tal Adler-Arieli (Israel/Germany), Laura Gutierrez (USA/Mexico), James Koroni (USA/Iran), Callie Lyons (USA), James McGinn (USA/Belgium) Szabi Pataki (Hungary), Sara Procopio (USA), Betti Rollo (Italy).

Bokaer performed with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company at the Glass House’s opening celebration in 2007.

Jonah Bokaer has been active as a choreographer and exhibiting artist since 2002. He created 57 works in a wide variety of media, including dances, videos, drawings, motion capture works, interactive installations, mobile applications, and film. In 2015 he received the United States Artists Fellowship in Choreography (Ford Foundation), and was named a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellow in Choreography. In 2016 he won Italy’s Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship (Visual Arts category), and was awarded one of the Mellon Foundation Fellowships at the NYU Center for Ballet and the Arts, for his choreography with the Royal Ballet of Flanders.

The 10th Anniversary of the Glass House public opening as a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will be the focus of this year’s annual Summer Party which takes place on Saturday, June 10th from noon to 4 pm. With generous support by Crozier Fine Arts, the Summer Party features a festive picnic, champagne by Taittinger, lawn games, music, and auction powered by Paddle8. Stroll the 49-acre landscape and enjoy two exhibitions on view: Julian Schnabel: “Paintings that I hope Philip and David would like” an intimate survey showcasing Julian Schnabel’s prolific painting career, as well as the Robert Indiana: One Through Zero sculpture installation.

This Program is made possible thanks to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Choreography & Visuals by Jonah Bokaer
Music by Stavros Gasparatos
Costume design by Joshua Katcher of Brave GentleMan
A Program curated by Cole Akers

The Glass House was built between 1949 and 1995 by architect Philip Johnson. The Glass House is a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation located in New Canaan, CT. The pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures, including the Glass House (1949), and features a permanent collection of 20th century painting and sculpture, along with temporary exhibitions. The tour season runs from May through November and advance reservations are required. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.theglasshouse.org

Jonah Bokaer performing with Merce Cunningham Dance for the opening of the Glass House in 2007. Photo courtesy of the Glass House.