MSP 172: Mimi Garrard
The Journey of Creating Dance for Video with Mimi Garrard
Video dance work has become increasingly popular as technology has advanced, but not many dancers and choreographers have made it their primary medium of work. Today\u2019s guest, Mimi Garrard, is the exception, having spent most of her extensive career focusing on video dance. In this episode of Movers & Shapers, we hear all about Mimi\u2019s life, what led her to dance, her training under Alwin Nikolais, why she chose video dance, and what she loves about it. We delve into how she combines video and live dancing before Mimi expands on how technology has changed her work, the lighting system her husband designed for her, and some of her biggest influences throughout her career and life. Mimi feels that intuition has always been a driving force for her, and today, she tells us how that has served her work. We even discuss how AI might impact her work and what\u2019s next for Mimi Garrard Dance Theatre. This is a fascinating episode filled with unique perspectives carved from Mimi\u2019s special journey, so be sure to tune in!
Key Points From This Episode:
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 An overview of Mimi\u2019s life and what led her to dance.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 Her training and touring program with Alwin Nikolais and the pieces she did with him.
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 Mimi\u2019s move to the country, her outdoor work, and how madness is a theme of her work.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 What informed her decision to combine video with live dance and how it has been received.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 Who has influenced her work most throughout her career.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 What Alwin Nikolais was like (according to our guest!)
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 How Mimi got hooked on video dance and how her work has evolved with technology.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 The lighting system her husband came up with for her dance videos.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 How Mimi\u2019s intuition has served her throughout her career.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 The importance of learning and continuously working as a beginner.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 What\u2019s next for Mimi and her curiosity about how AI will affect her work.\xa0
\xb7\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 Why she doesn\u2019t attend screenings of her own work.\xa0
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\u201cIf I don\u2019t know what to do, it\u2019s my intuition that tells me what to try next.\u201d \u2014 Mimi Garrard
Mimi Garrard is an award-winning choreographer for the stage and for video.
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For more on this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast