When choreographer, Randee Paufve discovered the Hillside Swedenborgian Community Church, an Edwardian church in El Cerrito, California, she new that she needed to choreograph a work for the space. Paufve used this space as the site for her new solo, “Soil” as she said, “The space is a spiritual space… It just called for a dance”

Photo by Kegan Marling

“Soil”, performed October 4th –12th, explored elements of Paufve’s personal experience with aging and self- transformation. Paufve thought of soil as a metaphor for this personal journey. She said, “Soil is the most natural thing in the world…I felt there needed to be some dirt in the piece”.

Starting at sunset in front of windows that looked towards the San Francisco Bay, “Soil” progressed in a circle through the church. Paufve said “The space really gave itself as a gift to us. I danced with the space”.  Her process of choreographing for this space was “mostly trial and error”. She would try something and see if it felt right in the space and in the dance as a whole.

Paufve performing for dance anywhere in 2009
Photo by Diana Gargano

Photo by Kegan Marling

Paufve said “I am very specific about my site-specific work. I work in a space for months, even years, creating something for the space”. Because of her interest in site-specific work, Paufve has participated in dance anywhere several times. One of her favorite experiences with dance anywhere, was participating in 2009 when she performed a duet in the lobby of the SF MOMA. While this piece was originally created as a site-specific outdoor work at UC Davis, Paufve wanted to experience the piece against an alternate backdrop. She said, “The space was very black, white and charcoal. Visually I saw the idea of a couple’s drama against these black and grey hues. I just felt that the concept of the dance leant itself to this marbly space”. Paufve looks forward to participating in dance anywhere again.

Photo by Kegan Marling

Paufve intends to continue exploring site-specific venues. Over the next few months she will re-stage “Soil” in alternate locations, and also to fuse the piece into a new evening of work with her company, Paufve Dance. Stay tuned for details on her upcoming performances.
For more information on Randee Paufve and Paufve Dance visit- http://bit.ly/Hm9JM4