“The Concept of Dust: Continuous Project-Altered Annually” is an ongoing work-in-progress that interweaves formal dance and personal themes of aging and mortality with humor and diverse texts — intermittently read by Rainer and the dancers — dealing with ancient Mideast dynasties, paleontological findings, and literary quotations. The power of language as a trajectory that runs parallel to the music (Gavin Bryars’ “The Sinking of the Titanic”), and the dance movement, at times interrupting it in media res, continues to be an important coordinate in Rainer’s work. All three elements combine to create a somewhat melancholy ambiance. The performers in “Dust” have been given the freedom to initiate and/or abort the movement phrases as they wish, making spontaneous decisions and exercising options throughout the 45-minute duration of the piece.

Co-commissioned by the Getty and Performa
Presented by ADI at the Kitchen
Produced by Performa
Supported by ADI’s Incubator residency program