Oasis- Meet the Dancers 2
Sunday, July 8th, 2012Karina Lesko
What is the most valuable thing you learned as a dancer?
My experience has led me to understand that no matter what applause or criticism others have to say about your dancing, reaching your full potential lies in your own hands. Even though there will always be physical limitations to deal with, the only true limitation is the fear of failure. And there is no better gift than understanding your body and the power of your brain. Once you figure this out, the possibilities are endless.
If you had to explain dance to somebody who had never seen it or done it, how would you do it in one or two sentences?
Dance is one of the few art forms that incorporates all five senses of the body. It is using your body as an instrument to transfer energy into a space or another body. By exploring and feeling movement, dance can become a very liberating experience. It can also be a very personal and intimate experience. The dancer feels the movement and emotions flow through the body. The viewer watches and perceives not only the shapes, but the emotions. It is a language of it's own.
What excites you as a dancer?
As a dancer, I am excited by new challenges, not only choreographically but also understanding what a choreographer wants to say, and being able to say it. I get very excited when I'm given a new movement to work on, and after some rehearsals, it starts becoming my own. At this point, I can begin to understand what the choreography is about, what is behind the movement, what it's purpose is and if applicable, what the general mood and story of the piece is. Once I digest the movement into my body, my emotions start flowing through and there is nothing more exciting for me than knowing that an audience can pick up on these emotions. It's as if I am speaking to them without words, and they can understand.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
This is a hard question for me to answer as I get my inspiration from different sources. It could be the environment I'm in, the way the light comes into the studio, my fellow dancers or the music I'm dancing to. When I am dancing a piece that tells a story, I am often inspired by the story itself, and I find it most effective when I try to become the character I'm dancing. When the audience picks up on this and not only sees the dance but also feels the dance, that is the most inspiring of all.
What did you learn throughout the Oasis process so far?
The Oasis process has been an incredibly interesting one for me so far because it explores so many aspects of the Middle East, from it's richness of culture and music, it's stories and traditions, to the issues of fear, inequality, illiteracy and oppression that exist in many of it's countries modern day societies. But in my opinion, Oasis more than anything explores the finding of oneself, regardless of whether that represents a person or a community. It is coming out of the darkness of a point in life and finding one's self again or for the first time.
Fadi Khoury
What is the most valuable thing you learned as a dancer?
As a dancer I learned that our mind limits our freedom within and the skill to go deep though takes a lot of courage and fortitude; and so we are blessed for allowing this to happen.
If you had to explain dance to somebody who never seen it or done it? How would you do it in one or two sentences? Dance is the active presence of body mind and soul at once.
What excites you as a dancer?
Communicating through movement and the expression of the body in dance is always fascinating to me.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I believe that as artists we are eager to find inspiration in life generally, and that which generates creativity and expression. To me observing and learning from other people is always an inspiration as they reflect their life experience and individuality no matter what.
What did you learn throughout the Oasis process so far?
Oasis has been an inspiration to me in all areas especially working with beautiful artists like Nejla Yatkin and all the dancers in the company. As I feel deeply related to the concept and the subject of the work coming myself from the Middle East and living so many transitions; discussing crucial matters was always something that I chose to disregard in the purpose of moving on and hopefully a positive future. But this project is allowing me to embrace the facts and dig into the truth, share it with the people though what I’m mostly passionate about: Dance.
What else would you like to share?
Dance for life…
