8 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023
THE RICE THRESHER
‘Dimensions Variable’ plays with the wearable
COURTESY CJ HODGES Doug Fitch and Tommy Ngyuen in costume for the Moody’s newest “Dimesions Variable” performance.
JULIANA LIGHTSEY
FOR THE THRESHER
At first glance, they appear to be two precariously-stacked conglomerations of children’s stuffed animals: a forlorn plush basset hound, a worn stuffed hippo and a deflated giraffe. Then, you spot a distinctly human calf protruding from one of the masses, and suddenly they spring to life, two aggregations of animals, seemingly connected by a hive mind, performing a narrative. This is the Moody Center’s upcoming experience on April 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. Part of the “Dimensions Variable” series, the performance piece is a dynamic response to the current “Narrative Threads” exhibition and is orchestrated by costume designer Tommy Nguyen and director Doug Fitch, both actors in the performance, accompanied by musician Daniel Thomas Davis playing the hurdy-gurdy. Fitch describes the piece as an “intervention” that’s comedically playful in nature but rooted in emotion and deeper meaning. “We become these two characters who are sort of indefinable — they don’t really fit anywhere, but they fit everywhere,” Fitch said. “Hopefully they’re welcomed by everyone …
with a historic artistic inspiration. “We do want to lead people to think about this idea of otherness in our society … there are these Mughal-era elephant paintings that are made up of all sorts of other animals and humans, and it’s very similar to the message we’re putting out here … [it’s] all about the transmigration of souls … we’re all made up of the same beinghood,” Fitch said. “Each costume is a community.” Nguyen and Fitch said they hope that the dynamic nature of their art provides audiences with a unique and engaging gallery experience. “It’s rather carefully planned out … we have a narrative that we’re aiming for,” Fitch said. “We do think there will be some surprise musical events … our friend [Davis] has created a score for us … but there is room to improvise on the spot.” Beyond the evening exhibition, the artists representing someone who just doesn’t look like anyone else … just living their lives and intend to host smaller interactive workshops throughout the week leading up to their inviting everyone to come play with them.” Nguyen generated the idea of costumes performance, such as creating sock-puppet composed from plush toys during a residency characters or plastic bag dresses, maintaining at Denmark’s Aros Kunstmuseum in 2019. He a theme of repurposing everyday objects. Fitch and Nguyen also placed a strong said the country’s mistreatment of refugee emphasis on the and immigrant importance of the populations during whimsical and his residency was humorous aspects part of his inspiration of their art alongside for the project, which We become these two their more serious he formulated upon characters who are sort of inspiration, citing encountering the indefinable — they don’t Charlie Chaplin and donated toys in a really fit anywhere, but silent movie comedy search for reusable they fit everywhere. genre as the basis for textiles to work with. their performance “I found a giant Doug Fitch style. bin of all these preDIRECTOR & PERFORMER “It’s a classic loved stuffed animals comedy duo … that no one wanted to touch … [they were] invested with a lot of the idea of these two guys in a peculiar emotion from their previous owners and just situation … that’s impoverished in one way discarded,” Nguyen said. “I thought, ‘I’m or another … they’re just finding solutions going to make a wearable costume … to say to the world, getting through life,” Fitch said. “In the art world, it’s very rare that joy something about immigration.’” Fitch elaborated on this idea of movement is rated as high a currency as sadness … we and community that the artists considered have this deep message delivered in a very integral to their work and identified parallels light and funny way.”
Rice Dance Theater reflects on pandemic, past performances HUGO GERBICH PAIS
THRESHER STAFF
Returning from a pandemic that saw drops in membership, Rice Dance Theater has doubled down on its mission to bring dance to Rice campus just in time for their 5oth year in operation. Their spring 2023 show, “Origins: Celebrating 50 years of Dance at Rice,” ran April 6 to 8. Like many groups on campus, the pandemic forced the group to modify its offerings. Dance classes went virtual and performances were held on screens rather than stages. Katie Kirkpatrick, co-president of RDT, said she pursued a leadership role to enhance the club after the pandemic halved membership. “It just wasn’t feeling fun,” Kirkpatrick, a Sid Richardson College senior, said. “I wanted to take on a bigger role to be able to create a more inclusive environment and improve the social atmosphere [and] create a more of a community within the company.” Leigh Gabriely, RDT’s social coordinator, said she has watched RDT evolve through the pandemic, providing a unique opportunity to reinvent the club. “It was a really different culture than we’re seeing today,” Gabriely, a Hanszen College senior, said. “The pandemic gave us a blank slate … the culture that existed before was deconstructed to a certain extent.” The impact of the pandemic is explored within the show itself. RDT commissioned Marlana Doyle, a Houston
choreographer and the director of the Institute of Contemporary Dance, as a guest choreographer. Her contemporary jazz piece, titled “sigh,” opens with a solitary dancer on the stage. “It’s about not being alone and feeling supported,” Doyle said. “The main figure in the beginning of the dance starts by herself, but then the community of dancers comes on to join her. That sense of surrounding and support is what she finds throughout the dance.” Accompanying the performances are exhibits featuring artifacts spanning the club’s history, and Kirkpatrick said they are the product of a serendipitous find. “We were clearing out the closet, because it was getting really full and other dance groups needed the space, and we found these three big bins,” Kirkpatrick said. “None of us had looked at these things, we didn’t know they existed” The memorabilia, from VHS tapes to old programs and posters, highlighted the club’s history and growth but also the broader growth of the arts at Rice, according to Kirkpatrick. They learned RDT used to be led by a full-time Rice employee, who was hired specifically to create a dance program, though this ended by 2016.
“We just need to keep pushing the arts,” Gabriely said. “It can be so inspiring to students, and we need more of it on this campus.” Inspired by their remarkable recovery and growth since the pandemic, Kirkpatrick said RDT hopes to continue this momentum and celebrate the arts at Rice. “I want students to be happy knowing how long dance has been making people happy at Rice, and that it’s continuing to make students happy,” Kirkpatrick said. “And hopefully, it will continue on for another 50 years.”
New brews to sip on SASWAT PATI
THRESHER STAFF
While some off-campus places like Common Bond and Agora may be well known to Rice students, we here at the Thresher wanted to provide some new locales to quench your caffeine addiction, especially during the grind of finals season.
Siphon Key Recommendations: Siphon Slow Brewed Coffee, Golden Milk Latte As the name suggests, Siphon brews some of their coffee using a siphon — instead of boiling the coffee and reducing its intensity, this method slowly heats the coffee in a vacuum, creating a brew that is less rough and more flavorful. Siphon is perfect for finishing up a paper, with both a large interior seating area and a covered outside area. If you end up getting hungry, Siphon also has an all-day brunch menu with both small bites and full meals.
Koffeteria Key Recommendations: Pistachio Baklava Croissant, Cocoa Nib Cold Brew Just minutes away from Minute Maid Park and featuring spacious outdoor seating and a cozy interior, bakery and cafe Koffeteria really shines with their sweets and pastries — although their coffee is nothing to scoff at either. With both a set and rotating menu, every trip can provide a new experience, and virtually every pastry they make has that Instagram aesthetic.
Un Caffè Premium Roastery
Key Recommendations: Iced Vanilla Cloud, Butter Croissants Un Caffè is an intimate coffee shop and roastery just five minutes away from campus. It features a cozy set-up with plenty of light and air. While the coffee here is excellent, the shop’s true highlight is the craftsmanship and care of its wonderful owner, Soonkack Kook. At Un Caffè, Kook makes sure to prioritize the coffee and consumer experience.
Cavo
KATHERINE HUI / THRESHER Rice Dance celebrated their 50th year as an organization with their spring 2023 showcase.
Key Recommendations: Cafe au Lait, Aeropress Cavo prides itself on an upscale coffee experience with a variety of non-traditional drinks. Like Siphon, Cavo also has a siphoncoffee maker and other excellent slow-brewed drinks. With plenty of lighting, a chill atmosphere and good food, Cavo is a perfect choice for finals studying. Read more online at ricethresher.org.