INTERSECTION
In the essay “Wind Daruma,” Hijikata Tatsumi describes a figure of wind which sweeps up and through identifiable bodies, transforming, erasing, “immolating” them. The Yupik word for “Self”, “Weather”, “other” and “wind” is the same Ella, a sort of motion that intertwines our interior space and the exterior world in an emphatic and enduring dance.
Collaboration with dancer Gretchen Ackerman. Sound composition Matt McGarvey, Fall 2023
Intersection: Gretchen
Gretchen Ackerman received her formal training from the Grand Rapids Ballet School and Alonzo Kings’ LINES Ballet. She has danced for Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, RGWW, Mike Tyus & Co, and ZiRU Dance; performing the works of Joshua Peugh, Sidra Bell, Mark Caserta, Laurie Sefton, Luca Renzi, Rosanna Gamson, Philein Wong, and Alejandro Perez. Additionally, she is developing her own language of movement and creation. Discipline of the self and deep research are at the crux of her art.
Matt McGarvey is a multi-instrumental musician, composer and producer. He has a PhD in music from UC San Diego. His sound work includes composition for dance, live performance with dance, painting and installation, live performance and soundtrack work with film, and regular album production. He is the founding member of Unthem Collective, and has worked extensively with painter Iva Gueorguieva, filmmaker Jonesy, and musician and installation artist Gary Murphy. His recent work as Liquidated State is hypnotic and raw, synth-based music.
Collaboration with Friidom. Sound by Matt McGarvey, Fall 2023
Intersection: Friidom
Darrel “Friidom” Dunn, a Dallas native, graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2014 with a degree in Arts and Technology. Known as the Willy Wonka of Movement, Friidom curates immersive worlds of movement that bridge divides through philosophy and storytelling. Based in Los Angeles, CA, he works as a director, choreographer, actor, and movement artist for various art and commercial projects. His impressive resume includes collaborations with Universal Music Enterprises, Disney, WACO Theater, Tyler The Creator, Lin Manuel Miranda, Dick Van Dyke, and more. His life’s crowning work is the "Epiic" movement philosophy, blending Krump, Street Styles, and raw expressive movements, born from his personal struggles. "Epiic" performances are accompanied by orchestral progressions and cinematic scores. Friidom’s work challenges audiences to find the artist within themselves, revolutionizing movement, visual arts, technology, and entertainment. His mantra: “Live Frii, Be Epiic.”
Intersection Tumbling Rose: Stingray 2022
Collaboration with dancer Emma Portner with music by Matt McGarvey.
Intersection Tumbling Rose: Corner 2022
Collaboration with dancer Emma Portner with music by Matt McGarvey.
Intersection Tumbling Rose 2022
Collaboration with dancer Emma Portner with music by Matt McGarvey. Filmed by Elise Rasmussen
Intersection Films 2021 - Present
Movement artists: Friidom, Tonya Anderson, Wren Warner, Matthew ET Gibbs, Svitlana Zavialova, Pauline Bissell, Bitch, Emma Portner
Music composed by Matt McGarvey, Piano by Phill Skaler
Intersection: Matthew ET
Live performance for LA Nomadic Division fundraising event summer 2022
Dancer Matthew ET Gibbs
Music composed by Matt McGarvey/ Unthem.org
Installation and live performance at Transformative Arts Now, Los Angeles, CA.
September 11th, 2022: Live performance with movement artists: Jasmine Albuquerque, Wu Woman, and Tonya Anderson, with Phil Skaller on grand piano and Matt McGarvey on synthesizers.
Exhibition and live performance at The Benton Museum of Art, Claremont, CA.
May 3rd, 2022: Live performance with Emma Portner, music composed by Matt McGarvey of Unthem collective and Phil Skaller on piano. Live violin performance by Bitch.