This afternoon, I drove out to the Leighton Arts Centre to experience a dance performance piece and epic sculptural project by Peter von Tiesenhausen.  He harvested 1000 poles to use in the construction of the piece from his own woodlot outside of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

The experience on the hill transcended dance and certainly the elements, were in part, responsible for a very mystical experience of the art.  The dancers initially brought up for me, bird-like movements in the great stand of vertical poles.  There was considerable interaction and a variety of levels and locations in the performance piece.  I felt amazed by the entire interaction between the dancers and the sculpture.  I also think that that interaction caused the viewer to move and enter into the art from a whole number of points of view.

The rain itself, contributed to the art as the viewers were transformed in their bodies…with the clothing/boots they wore and the very colourful presence of umbrellas.

Peter seemed joyful as the piece came to its conclusion and we couldn’t help but celebrate along with him.  Awe-inspiring!