Choreographic Works
| excerpts |
Astrophysics | A Physical Embodiment
Live Dance Performances
Created in collaboration with the scientists and engineers of The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.
2024
A Full Void
Choreographer and Dancer: Alexandra Lockhart Music by: Dr. Brian House | Data sonfication of Parker Solar Probe FIELDS Instrument Projection by: Alexandra Lockhart - utilizing SDO and SOHO images during PSP Encounter 13. Lighting design by: Alexandra Lockhart and Amy Campion Courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams, and SOHO/LASCO C2 consortium.
7 mins.
Inspired by the complexity and dynamism of the Sun we live with on a daily basis, this piece explores phenomena embedded in this star and the solar wind. ‘A Full Void’ explores sensations of an evolving and interactive helical journey of energy which evades static states, and exemplifies that areas of transition are where the excitement happens, and defined beginnings or endings are nonexistent. An admirable system where boundaries aren’t imposed, but created by the processes themselves.
Solar wind, the Sun’s tendril reaching out into the ever expanding universe, connects all of the in-between space. As it acts as an interconnecting membrane, and has unique interactions with each body it comes across, it beautifully does the same throughout all of LASP.
Choreographed from data of the FIELDS instrument on Parker Solar Probe during Encounter 13.
Phenomena explored: Nuclear fusion, differential rotation, collision-less plasma, solar cycles, plasma rain, The Parker Spiral, turbulence, quiescent regions, plasma waves, coronal holes, CMEs, magnetic reconnection, flux tubes, magnetic and electric fields.
Special ‘Thank you’ to Dr. David Malaspina and the PSP Research Group
Lunar Loft
Choreographer and Dancer: Alexandra Lockhart Original music composition: ‘Lunar Loft’ by Nathan Wheeler Violinist: Dr. Margaret Landis Projection by: Dr. Xu Wang Lighting design by: Alexandra Lockhart and Amy Campion
4:47 mins.
This piece exhibits the softness and beauty that exists in the intimate duet between the Moon and Earth. Exuding comfort in the consistent and quiet relationship of the two, this piece focuses on lightness and the power of nuance. Inspired by Dr. Xu Wang’s research and theory of the lunar lofting phenomenon, as well as the work of Dr. Margaret Landis, this piece follows the journey of a dancing dust particle beginning at the Gruithuisen Domes.
Lunar Loft showcases a live violin performance by LASP planetary geologist, Dr. Margaret Landis, and a visual projection of the lunar lofting phenomena theory imaged in the lab by Dr. Xu Wang.
Choreographed based off of lunar geologic features, terrain slopes, and trajectories of dust particles.
Special ‘Thank you’ to Dr. Xu Wang, Dr. Margaret Landis, John Fontanese, and Dr. Mihály Horányi.
Just Ask the Clouds
Choreographer and Dancer: Alexandra Lockhart Music by: Michael Wall Projection by: Alexandra Lockhart - Polar noctilucent cloud images from NASA AIM Mission. Lighting design by: Alexandra Lockhart and Amy Campion
3:42 mins.
Clouds, exquisite story tellers of Earth’s multi-layered atmosphere, offer delicate and immensely profound insight. While showcasing Earth’s interconnection and the global cause and effect relationships of this planet’s systems, they speak to what we cannot see. Inspired by teleconnections, the polar vortex, and communication between the north and south poles of planet Earth.
Choreographed from patterns and movement of noctilucent clouds from the AIM CIPS instrument, a panoramic imager.
Special ‘Thank you’ to Dr. Cora Randall, Dr. Peter Pilewskie and Dr. Odele Coddington
Sour Dough
Dancer and Choreographer: Alexandra Lockhart Music: ‘Going Going Going’ by Michael Wall Lighting design by: Alexandra Lockhart and Amy Campion
5:30 mins.
Balance, a simplistic idea overcome by complexities of time, scale and countless variables of grand influence. ‘Sour Dough’ is inspired by how human evolution, imagination, and tendencies towards trends have heavily impacted Earth’s climate. Considering tipping points, and the fact that we’re in an ultimate race, how can we be a healthy part of the balance, rather than over-engineer and insist on controlling it?
Special ‘Thank you’ to Dr. Peter Pilewskie and Dr. Odele Coddington
‘ECOSTRESS’ (2023)
This project looks at ECOSTRESS’ images from the International Space Station. These images show the evapotranspiration of the Arkansas River, and explores how depletion of water and increase of drought creates stress on plants. I compared 2018 and 2022. First, I interpreted the image data and hand drew movement scores where I focused on the river’s pathway. The river’s pathway acted as my base phrase choreographically, and I treated darker spots (dense water usage) as ‘energy triggers’. I created a movement phrase pertaining to each map to embody and physicalize the evapotranspiration, and showcase that water loss equals energy loss. When comparing, I found the movement phrase based on 2022 was slower, more lethargic, and simpler compared to the 2018 movement phrase which was quicker, more spritely and lively. (Citing: https://ecostress.jpl.nasa.gov/)
Choreography continued…
Earthbound
Choreographed by: Alexandra Lockhart, Ellis Wood, Chelsea Hecht & Emily McDaniel 2019 New York, NY
Tidally
Choreographed by: Alexandra Lockhart & Emily McDaniel 2021, Green Box Arts, Green Mountain Falls, CO
Tidally I
Choreographed by: Alexandra Lockhart & Emily McDaniel 2020 Brooklyn, NY
WILEX
Choreographed by: Alexandra Lockhart & Wilson Anderson 2017 Hudson Valley, NY
A/C/E
Choreographed by: Alexandra Lockhart, Chelsea Hecht and Emily McDaniel 2017 New York, NY
Spinal Rounds
Choreographed by: Alexandra Lockhart 2015 Westchester, NY
