NYC Dance Happenings- 3LD

Seminal Dogs
By: Ashley L. Mathus

New York City may need a new word for contemporary. The Three Legged Dog Art & Technology Center is a non-profit theater and media group focusing on large-scale installation artwork, experimental staging and performances. Multiple artists of various genres have flocked here to gain audiences, while creatively adapting their work to a pretty damn cool space. Their liberal attitude is inviting and globally raises the bar for multi-media artists.

Walking into this visionary space, one might think of a spaceship, an underground laboratory, or a Disney World ride. But the great this is, it’s all real. The translucent white walls and incongruent angles play tricks on the eyes, making playtime a job anyone would want. Run by the community and artists alike, Three Legged Dog “provides complete production and presentation facilities for emerging and established artists and organizations that create large-scale experimental works, many of which incorporate and create new tools and technologies.” If you are an emerging choreographer, designer, musician, or have an interests in theatrical lighting, sound synthesis, or robotic objects, you might want to check out this downtown gem. Located at 80 Greenwich Street at Rector Street, their re-built location is easily accessible and a trendy enough for a Friday night.

This past summer, BODYART, a city-based dance group performed at 3LD, molded the already intimate studio space by altering choreography to maintain steady dancer-to-dancer relationships. Onlookers stood or sat not a foot away from the tape, which determined performer and audience, enabling unique and relative perspectives from every position. Post-excerpt, one rotated 180° (with a firm hold on that PBR or wine glass) and watched emerging indie rock and folk bands jam. With three studios, ranging in size, stop by 3LD’s next event, October 17th, for a late night dance party, admission after 9PM. All you technology savvy people would love the Troika Ranch MIMA Workshop, happening October 27th-31st. Please check out 3ldnyc.org for more info on upcoming and current residencies, installations, projects, and fun.