The contemporary hip-hop dance performance Mirrors presents the struggles faced by creators within the social media environment. Choreographed by Donna Chittick, the performance offers an abstract, movement-based commentary on the lack of originality, powerlessness, and violence in the digital realm. Beneath the thin veil of individual expression, ownership, and freedom, social media users are driven by fleeting hopes of fame and recognition into a herd, regaining a true sense of identity only when taking an offline detox. Ironically, they willingly return to the game once more.
With a cohesive technical quality and fluidity in their movements, the dancers’ interactions and varying formations give the piece a storytelling quality. The internal struggles are often expressed in quick, rapid, and sharp movements which are executed with precision. At the same time, incorporating and developing movements with varied pace and tonal quality could create more dynamism and sustain the audience’s attention more consistently.
Contrasts in choreographic formations provided an engaging display of group mentality and interpersonal relationships in the fight for attention in the online world. The peer-to-peer imitation, competition, and occasional cruelty were cleverly mirrored by the identical camouflage costumes, which brought to my mind symbolisms of army, war, and anonymity. This choice of costume blended so seamlessly into the black box setting that occasionally, especially under low lighting, the visibility of the movements was compromised. However, it underscores the performance themes effectively and draws a provoking parallel for viewers’ contemplation.
The audience is positioned as an unobserved viewer for a prolonged length of the performance until the conclusion. In the final moments, they are addressed as perpetrators and participants in the culture confronted throughout the piece. An even bolder use of contrasts that are currently present in light design and choreography could enable fuller development of the sub-themes within Mirrors’ compelling presentation of our war with technology. Rosina Lui, Utrecht 16th January 2025
