CO-VIDS

A series of site-specific experimental digital projects created and performed by Jeanette Kotowich during the COVID-19 pandemic.

projects index or scroll to view all

• Nimîhtowin Askîhk Dancing the Land
• Kiyâm ⛰ and or ThunderBeing ⚡️
• emjeanettily
• sing into my mouth
• Territory
• in the window
• Mâmawapiwin
• Kâ- Nîmihitot Atayohkan
• Ulksen SPIRIT
• where i go you follow me
• resonance
• Aabaakwan: NIRIN

supporters Small Stage, Dancing on the Edge, Festival of Recorded Movement, Weesageechak Festival, Push OFF, Young Lungs Dance Exchange, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Raven Spirit Dance, National Arts Centre, National Arts Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Young Lungs Dance Exchange

Conceived, performed and edited by Jeanette Kotowich; Tsilhqot’in Loon Song adapted by Cindy M Charleyboy, as taught by the late Madeline Myers; music production Kathleen Nisbet; camera Chloe Ziner; lighting and projection Jessica Gabriel; editing support Chloe Ziner; developmental support Native Earth

With deep reverence it is filmed on the unceded, ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Watuth) First Nations.

take this moment to connect with breath Spirit; feel your heart beating; internal drum; sense the earth beneath you; notice how she reaches to embrace you, allowing you to sit in your back body and be held; in this moment embody Territory; acknowledge Land; Ancestors; walk gently on your Mother; feel her ancient love - and return it

Filmed, performed, and edited by Jeanette Kotowich; Tsilhqot’in Loon Song adapted by Cindy M Charleyboy, as taught by the late Madeline Myers; created with support from the Festival of Recorded Movement; presented as a part of Capsule @ the National Arts Centre

Looking for medicine and healing in our socially-distanced times, I reflect on the things we gather around and what we bring to communal space. I'm exploring Nêhiyaw (Cree) worldview and contemporary ideas of storytelling to generate concepts for speculative ritual theatre. Together we'll dance through imagined, perceived and real Mâmawapiwin/Gathering spaces. Guided by Nêhiyaw cosmology and connection to the natural world, we seek to receive the healing qualities in the elements and fortify ourselves with compassion, kindness, bravery and joy as we continue to traverse this pandemic territory.

Engagement invitation / if you feel called, please gather the following ritual items to witness and participate: a rock, blanket, shawl or other covering and a cup of tea. You're also invited to comment on "what you saw, felt, heard or imagined." Please email your thoughts to Jeanette.

Presented by Push OFF and Company 605

Engagement invitation / Begin the walk at the colourful flower memorial, a westward walk from Spanish Banks west parking lot B. Ancestral and unceded Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) & Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) territory, or so called Vancouver. Allow yourself to be guided by the narration, encompassed in the present moment, witnessing as much of your surroundings as possible, while simultaneously giving over to your imagination.

The sonic environment is crafted and composed by Matthew Morrish, a tapestry of field recordings, imagined spaces, echoed memories, and rhythms of the earth. Matthew creates visual, sonic, and poetic art with his ongoing Futurhythms project. He also occasionally releases electronic music under the alias Owlform.

Created in consultation with Squamish Elder S7aplek aka Bob Baker; created for PuSh Walks; image credit: sharai mustatia aka princess shredder

music: Qiujaviit by Tanya Tagaq; As the Day Goes By by Sounds from the Ground & Tanya Tagaq