Extremely Different

This show was definitely something. It was unusual, unnatural, and creepy. Besides being that, it was also very cool and intense.

Lemi Ponifasio’s “Birds With Skymirrors” maintained the dark theme with the use of simple but dark visual imagery. The show was a play of light and shadow. Lights were sometimes dimmed or were shone brightly for the desired effects. Besides black as the main color, once in a while in the costumes or on the set different colors peeked through. The rare colors that appeared highlighted and pinpointed my attention to the certain object and made me think “why is this different? What does this symbolize?”

When show started and the lights were gradually getting brighter, the first thing I noticed was the writhing man standing on a raised platform. He was tattooed and kept moving his body like he was chained and wanted to let out. The performer’s movements were snake-like and which he made for a while. I also noticed the screen on the background and the long, black curved structure on stage. At first I thought the screens represented solar panels but I was corrected when they served as screens for the clip of the drowning bird. But I also thought that the screens were oddly reflecting. Most of the times I could see the performers’ movements on the screens, reflected and somewhat distorted. Perhaps the screens represented the “skymirrors” in the title.

After a while, a bare chested woman who wore heels walked out, slowly clicking her heels as the man writhed. Her movements were angular and stiff. Once she positioned herself in front of the stage, she put her hands awkwardly on her hips, she started shrieking. I literally jumped out of seat- that was very unexpected. It wasn’t a while after I realized she looked like a bird whose wings (her arms) were pinned back. She looked like a flamingo or the pelican what was being shown on the screen. She was screaming angrily and extremely loudly. It sounded as if she was yelling but no one was listening- much like many scientists towards politicians about climate change. I really wished I could understand what she was saying so I could understand her situation. What confused me what the fact that she was wearing heels. Why be bare chested but still wear heels? What was so symbolic about them?

The female performer then slowly walked to where the writhing man was standing as he walked to where she was standing. After removing her heels and underwear, she laid down, dying away in the amber light as it gradually dimmed and disappeared from her body. Then it was all dark around her. The symbolic death represented the death of the bird, of a living creature. Meanwhile, the man changed his movements to what seemed like he was flying- or trying to. However his movements were abruptly disrupted when he slapped himself really hard on his chest. He then looked like he was struggling to stay in the air, or even struggling to float on the water. I did not know what to think of that.

There were also men who were dressed in all black, who looked like monks. Their light, fast, repetitive and buzzing movements were confusing. Were they representing the current confusion of the situation of birds? These men were the same men who sat in front and made those repetitive movements. I did not know what to think of that either. Last but not least, in the end the laying of the dust seemed almost like a ceremony. I have no idea what it meant. But, I noticed the music changed from the horrible static to hopeful music, much like the music found on the Discovery Channel documentaries. The music was hopeful, and surprisingly, dare I say, peaceful. It coordinated with the movements of the performers. The dust clouds that rose from the dusting were slowly floating into the audience. I thought it represented the knowledge from the show spreading onto the audience. I really enjoyed it- I was almost in a trance.

All in all, I am surprised to say I really enjoyed the performance. It was definitely different than our other shows but nonetheless it was powerful and passionate. The BAM is right next to my high school, Brooklyn Tech, and I’ve walked past it multiple of times. It was great to finally go inside and enjoy a performance. Thank you for this opportunity.