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Flamenco Flies

by David Sepulveda | Dec 28, 2011 2:14 pm

(4) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: Arts, Citizen Contributions

The Eli Whitney Museum is steeped in the history of the region’s industrial revolution, and is within view and earshot of a cascading man-made waterfall on the picturesque Mill River. True to its present iteration and mission as a museum and workshop in experimental learning, it is a place where thousands of children from across Connecticut experience new ways of hands-on designing, constructing and problem solving each year.

David Sepulveda Photo Last Friday, with the excitement of the holidays hanging in the crisp air, children of all ages were treated to a new way of experiencing movement, rhythm and dance under the auspices of the museum’s first Artist-in-Residence, Susan Clinard. Clinard, an educator and sculptor of wire, wood, clay and thread, and whose studio is located across the street in the circa 1816 Eli Whitney barn, said she and her husband Thierry rented the museum to offer a unique experience to friends and children, as a “holiday gift of sorts.”  As a special treat, she invited her visiting sister, Wendy Clinard, a Flamenco dancer and director of Clinard Dance Theater of Chicago to perform at the holiday party.

“The event,” said Susan Clinard, “is in keeping with my commitment to the community and goal of enriching the lives of children.”

Amid rough-hewn beams and palpable rusticity of the museum, are numerous artifacts and displays that tantalize and educate.  A sprawling, interactive American Flyer train installation delights would-be conductors; the display features a miniature New Haven green, complete with the three historic churches that front Temple Street. Showcases house artifacts of greater New Haven’s industrialized manufacturing heyday, among them a display of A.C. Gilbert’s iconic Erector toy sets manufactured at New Haven’s Erector Square complex.

In a separate room behind the museum display areas is a rambling workshop spilling with raw materials and the pride of completed projects and artistic creations—part of the 70,000 projects created annually in eight programs that make-up a curriculum which, in most cases, meets Connecticut’s teaching standards in science, math, and social studies frameworks. The museum and its myriad programs are available to outside groups, and they will even bring their creative curriculum to schools or send out special kits available from their catalog.

Before the evening’s program, Wendy Clinard seemed entranced, yet focused, as she contemplated her performance, moving in graceful but abbreviated rhythms of an internal dialogue. “Performing to non-choreographed pieces without live musicians is out of the usual grain for me. That, coupled with the intimate and personal atmosphere created by a public of shared friendships, were the ingredients for a clear communication” she noted after the show.

Children who had been seated at the front of the floor-level stage, much to their delight, were invited on-stage for an impromptu Flamenco lesson shortly after Clinard had performed her first set. Flamenco dance is known to many as an exotic dance of Spain, but it also shares influences with Indian and Arabic cultures.  Movements in the dance genre include graceful arm and hand movements, hand clapping and the percussive footwork for which it is perhaps most recognized. Performances often build from a quiet meditative position to a crescendo of powerful stomps and elegant upper body movements. Clinard’s dancing seemed to cast a spell over the appreciative audience - a spell unbroken by rapid staccato footwork that resonated on the hardwood flooring. 

This was Clinard’s first New Haven area performance but said she would love to bring her newest three-year labor of love “From The Arctic to the Middle East” (Broken Narratives by an American Flamenco Dancer) to the Whitney Barn and sister Susan’s studio, a space which she said, gives her “goose pimples.” In that regard, Flamenco dancer Wendy Clinard, gives as good as she gets. 

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posted by: A.Thought on December 28, 2011  5:56pm

What a nice idea for an artist of one genre to feature her sister artist of a different genre in a museum dedicated to artists. I especially liked David’s descriptive depiction of the flamingo dancer’s movements (read before viewing the video)which was as captivating as the video presentation.

posted by: Lori on December 29, 2011  8:43am

Susan created a beautiful artistic event. What a wonderful place to capture Flamenco dancing. I hope Wendy gets a chance to dance for a wider audience in the future.
  I would love to see a follow-up article showcasing Susan’s students beginning to learn various crafts from Susan.

posted by: P.J. on December 30, 2011  3:03pm

The Whitney Museum is another New Haven area gem. My kids enjoyed wonderful summer sessions there when they were younger. This event sounds great! I also enjoyed your photos- but would have liked to see more of the children participating.Loved the article, though! Keep up the good work!

posted by: susan on December 30, 2011  8:58pm

The night flew by in a cloud of beauty. I am so thankful for your wonderful thoughts and words about this experience. It helps keep the memory alive for me. Thanks so much David!

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