Mathew Janczewski, Kim Heidkamp & Joshua Clausen: Thermal project preview & artist conversation
Thu, Feb 3, 5:30 pm
Virtual event
Free, registration required
Moderated by Minneapolis Climate Action’s Kyle Samejima
Artist Kim Heidkamp, choreographer/dancer Mathew Janczewski (ARENA DANCES), and composer Joshua Clausen discuss their collaborative interdisciplinary installation Thermal ahead of its month-long premiere at American Swedish Institute in March 2022. A dialogue made of movement, form, and sound, Thermal centers on Earth’s changing environment, inviting viewers to slow down and appreciate natural surroundings while simultaneously delivering a sense of urgency to act on what might happen next. Set in the historic Turnblad Mansion beginning in March, Kim Heidkamp’s sculptural paper artwork will be activated with choreography by Mathew Janczewski and a score by Joshua Clausen, along with select live performances. Learn about the work and see what’s in store.
ARENA DANCES is a contemporary dance company performing the work of Mathew Janczewski. The work is abstract in form, giving shape to emotions, exploring the depths and the limits of what drives us as humans to connect, to break away, to survive. Just as our emotions can veer wildly, ARENA incorporates a highly kinetic style of movement, a sweeping physicality that takes in a broad range of feelings and the posturings we may make to protect ourselves in the world. The work springs first from Mathew’s own experiences; then, through the movement and structure, ARENA seeks to find a form to give those experiences both truth and commonality
Founded in 1995, the mission of ARENA DANCES is to make dance accessible to all through the presentation of contemporary dance, educational outreach, and community gatherings to inspire, promote dialogue and diversity.
Kim Heidkamp is a fine artist based in Minneapolis. After working in communications for seven years, the urge to create led Heidkamp to abandon her day job and focus on her art. Her delicate paper sculptures create a moment of meditative stillness, capturing a pause in what seems to be a living, moving creature or a growing natural landscape.
Described by Public Radio International as “powerful” and “poignant,” Joshua Clausen’s works frequently fuse strong rhythmic textures and intricate patterning with narratives from history, mass culture and current events. Clausen is a 2018-2019 McKnight Composer Fellow.
Moderator Kyle Samejima is the Executive Director of Minneapolis Climate Action, a nonprofit focused on equitable, innovative climate solutions, focused on the democratization of renewable energy and deep systems change and healing. Kyle's work at Minneapolis Climate Action and with local partners and collaborators is centered in the understanding that connection, trust and relationship building are key to addressing climate change that is a symptom of deep systemic issues. Art is a key way to access and build deeper connection and understanding. Minneapolis Climate Action is thrilled to be a part of the Thermal conversation to connect us all in solutions that honor Earth and each other.