ART BATH x92NY

The Harkness Center for Dance is celebrating 90 years of dedication to artists in New York City, and to mark this milestone, 92NY hosted a weekend of extraordinary performances. They partnered with Art Bath, an immersive, artist-centric hub known for fostering innovative collaborations across various disciplines.

Founded by Elizabeth Yilmaz and Mara Driscoll, Art Bath draws on the tradition of the art salon to present eclectic lineups of performance and fine arts in reimagined spaces. Together with Allison Manning, co-executive director of 92NY, they brought this vibrant experience to the Y.

These evenings transcended the typical performer-audience dynamic. Each floor and room of 92NY hosted a different experience, with art installations, live music, and performances blending the essence of Harkness’s contributions to the world of dance and performance.

Set aglow with striking lighting the lobby plunged guests into the eccentric atmosphere of the night. A live DJ played alongside the cocktail hour, where attendees mingled under vibrant purple, green, and orange lights.

Doors opened, and The Martha Graham Dance Company’s Katherine Crockett and Xin Ying, dressed in flowing blue and purple danced on two small, square, lifted platforms, embodying the ambient score being produced by FLWRSHRK. Archival footage from 92NY’s history played on the walls, encouraging guests to reflect on the institution’s storied past.

Guests were then divided into two groups, each led to a different schedule of the performance experience. The purple group began their journey in Buttenwieser Hall’s Lounge, where musicians Swati Seshadri and Bala Skandan played for Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer Sonali Skandan performing.

Skandan’s expressive movements were enhanced by UV lights illuminating neon paint on her body. Her performance was like a microscopic invitation into Bharatanatyam’s intricate gestures, where even the smallest detai l,like the movement of her eyes, was visible, thanks to the intimacy of the lounge space.

Next, the purple group moved to the Arnhold Studio, where John Manzari and Dancers, a renowned tap troupe, thrilled guests. Dancers were silhouetted in
covered window panes, building excitement and intrigue. Partnering with a jazz band, the dancers powered through high-energy solos, unison sessions, and call-and-response pieces that provoked awe at the sight of Manzari and Co’s technical and choreographic brilliance.

After an intermission, Crockett and Ying returned, moving through the space with their flowing dress tails, guiding audience members to the next event. The fierce women diverged just before Christopher Williams Dances took the stage, presenting excerpts from Narcissus. Two dancers performed a classical and athletic duet. Statuesque in their movement, both the costuming and lighting highlighted the muscle tone of their bodies.

A comedic solo, “Echo” was danced by a “mountain nymph”- utilizing. classical modern gestures and decked in a costume design by Andrew Johnson, that illicited giggles and gasps from the crowd. The audience was ultimately left with a spritely sensation, as the evening transitioned.

The final act was a live performance by drag star, legendary Joey Arias, whose collaboration with choreographer Roderick George brought the house down. Arias and the eclectic jazz band, alongside two dancers, gave luxurious performance, blending raspy vocals with liquid choreography. This event’s bold experimentation and boundary-pushing performances left everyone with an experience that celebrated and embodied 92NY’s artistic innovation and legacy.

EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Emma Morris