Diana Lopez Soto

Contemporaneity is a development and presenting series examining questions of the contemporary in dance. It curates works that dive deeper into choreographic forms to answer the creator's questions; works that resist becoming colonized expressions of themselves; works that are alive to the body and a form's potential.

In an ideal world, contemporaneity should speak to the cultural moment in which a choreographic act or movement takes place. However, "contemporary" in dance is a term that has long defined European or white American theatrical dance, while all other forms have been categorized as just that - "other." This series seeks to re-examine the term so that "contemporaneity" can speak to the "now" in which a choreographic act takes place while considering its multiple contexts.

Contemporaneity understands that a healthy cultural ecology requires a multiplicity of aesthetics and discourse for the evolving contemporary in dance and aims to contribute an infrastructure that is inclusive, critical, contextual and transformative.

During the 6 weeks of immersive body and material research at DanceMakers and Collective Space, I had the opportunity to dive deeply into my research of ritual in relation to performance. I also rediscovered my relationship to endurance and presence work. With a focus on the embodying of my relationship to my grandmother's memories and cooking, I presented "De Agua y Barro", the first seed of NOMADA, with the dramaturgical support of Alejandro Ronceria.

Laboratory of creation and investigation of Aerial Dance taking place in Panama since 2015. A project lead by Eleanora del Asta (founding member of La Tribu Performance) that arises from a passion to disseminate, share, deepen and innovate in everything related to Aerial Dance in its different aspects. A creative residency that takes place over a week in Panama City and brings together 14 professional aerial dance artists or advanced students in a discipline related to circus, movement, or object manipulation.

PANAMA AEREA 2018 was directed by British aerialist/choreographer Lindsey Butcher of the company "Gravity and Levity". This year, the proposed research was based on "vertical dance" and "site-specific" performance. At the end of the Laboratory, 3 free samples of the final work were presented (Altaplaza Mall and Spanish Cultural Center/Soldier's House) and a school teaching (Altaplaza Mall)

Getting to know Lindsay and Eleonora were one of the most important parts of this experience. Both of their visions, experience and creative practice have changed my perspective in vertical dance and continue to influence my practice. Panama has incredible artist and spaces to practice this technique and I am amazed at the support of the city to present this work in such public and urban spaces.

In June 2019, Aeriosa hosted six International choreographers to share their knowledge and artistry with 40 dancers from around the world for a seven day professional development intensive. Dance workshops took place at four different locations within Vancouver: in a grove of trees at VanDusen Botanical Gardens; inside the SFU Woodwards Atrium for floating formation work; on a short outdoor wall at SFU Woodwards; and on the outside of the Guinness tower, a 100m skyscraper at 1075 West Hastings. The week culminated with a presentation of 'Activating Space' ~ a shared authorship choreography by the Vertical Dance Forum Artists and Amelia Rudolph of Bandaloop. VanDusen Gardens, SFU Woodwards Cultural Programs, HCMA, Woodwards Atrium Oxford Properties and the Vertical Dance Forum were community collaborators on this event.

The VIVDS gave me the opportunity to continue developing an understanding of vertical dance and to connect with other international and national vertical dancers and choreographers.

Public programming, community engagement and education centre since 2006. Spearheaded by Mexican-American artist and educator, Alicia Marván. Over the past 20 years, Guapamacataro's initiative has continuously sparked a transformative impact, establishing itself as a pioneer in the field of sustainable development. At the heart of our programs is the intersection of art and ecology. This inquiry manifests by exploring, understanding, communicating and applying ecology through creative and interdisciplinary practices, beyond the preservation of "nature". Biological factors are examined alongside the social, political and economic dimensions that make up the ecosystem at large.

This residency gave me the opportunity to embody conversations with the bodies of water of Michoacan,connect with the community of Maravatio and initiate the discovery of a counterbalance system in relationship with ceramic vessels. I also had the honor of working with Gustavo Bernal (ceramic artist) who years later, co-created the aerial vessels of NOMADA.

A creation and production space dedicated to support the research, craft and innovation of Multidisciplinary Arts with the the support of Merida, Mexico and their associated circus company Casa Circo.

Co-founded by artist and aerialist Karen Bernal Méndez (who has worked with prominent companies like Cirque du Soleil and Compagnia Finzi Pasca) alongside core collaborators like Darío Herrera and Ana Aimeé García Zapata.

Ilaii Performing Arts specializes in contemporary and poetic circus arts, blending modern acrobatics, aerial movement, dance, theater, and music. The word "ilaii" is used by the founders to evoke an ongoing, infinite state of constant learning, evolution, and growth

During this residency, I worked in collaboration with Director and Dramaturge; Alejandro Ronceria and rigging specialist Israel Barrera to develop the final prototype of rigging and concept design for NOMADA.