Jacolby Satterwhite’s groundbreaking commission, An Eclectic Dance to the Music of Time, for David Geffen Hall, offers a profound reimagining of Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic’s legacy, bridging past, present, and future in a vibrant tapestry of sound and motion. This compelling video installation is not merely a depiction; it is an embodiment of the phrase Dance To The Music, weaving together archival imagery, dynamic live action footage, and intricate digital animation to create a kaleidoscopic experience. Satterwhite constructs a visually rich and densely layered festival of performance that transcends temporal boundaries within a virtual realm, inviting viewers to witness history in motion.
The heart of An Eclectic Dance to the Music of Time lies in its inclusive cast, a deliberate choice by Satterwhite to represent a diverse spectrum of artists spanning from the New York Philharmonic’s inception in 1842 to the contemporary talents shaping New York City’s cultural landscape today. Young musicians and dancers from across the city become integral players in this visual symphony, their performances unfolding across meticulously crafted stages and sculptural monuments. These settings are nestled within a digital landscape inspired by the iconic Central Park, yet encircled by towering buildings reminiscent of Times Square’s dazzling screens, blurring the lines between natural serenity and urban dynamism.
This artistic vision is deeply rooted in a commitment to a more democratic interpretation of history. Satterwhite’s work champions inclusivity and accessibility, suggesting a departure from traditional, potentially hierarchical narratives of cultural institutions. His playful and richly inventive aesthetic serves as a powerful vehicle for presenting a future brimming with creative empowerment, where dance to the music becomes a metaphor for collective expression and historical reimagining. The artwork encourages viewers to reconsider the role of institutions like Lincoln Center and the Philharmonic in fostering a more inclusive and creatively vibrant future.
Satterwhite’s piece is more than just a visual spectacle; it’s an invitation to engage with history and performance in a novel and thought-provoking way. The title itself, An Eclectic Dance to the Music of Time, evokes a sense of fluidity and evolution, suggesting that history is not a static entity but rather a continuous, dynamic performance. By blending historical references with contemporary performance and digital innovation, Satterwhite encourages us to dance to the music of time, to move with its rhythms, and to appreciate the ever-evolving nature of culture and artistic expression. The artwork becomes a space where the past and future converse, where diverse voices harmonize, and where the very act of creation is celebrated as a powerful force for shaping our collective narrative.
For further exploration of this compelling artwork, visit publicartfund.org.
Credits
Jacolby Satterwhite, An Eclectic Dance to the Music of Time, 2022
Commissioned by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with The Studio Museum in Harlem and Public Art Fund
Director, Post Production, Edit, Animation, Design, VFX: Jacolby Satterwhite
Jacolby Satterwhite Gallery Representation: Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York
Production Company: Scheme Engine; Executive Producer: Jannie McInnes; Head of Production: James Rothman; Line Producer: Cali Burns; Casting Director: Damian Bao; Casting Associate: Monica Nazarouk; Casting Coordinator: Sara Julia Waller; Prod. Supervisor: Brooke Eliot; Associate Producer: Hudson Payer; Coordinator: Capri Moreno; 1st AD: Lionel Cineas; 2nd AD: Dariana Jiron; DP: Eric Vera; 1st AC: Carey Hu; 2nd AC: Jade Williams; Gaffer: Rommel Genciana; Best Boy Electric: Vic Roxas; Electric: Amaal Mustafa; Key Grip: Rolan Shin; Best Boy Grip: Nick Love; Grip: David Anthony; Art Director: Amber Unkle; Art Assistant: Brett Calvo; Stylist: David Casavant; Stylist Assistant: Susan Walsh; MUA: Rashad Taylor; MUA Assistant: Samantha Murrell, Koplah Tinubu; BTS Photographer: Gianna Scott; Covid Compliance Officer: Harrison Lipton; Covid Assistant: Diego Santiago; AD PA: Bertus Regis, Dumarck Barlatier; Set PA: Silas Morrill, Ian Bakerman; Office PA: Jordan DeFilippo; Truck PA: Mike Early, Raheim Williams
Post Production: The Mill New York; Executive Producer: Matthew Loranger; Creative Director: Chris Bernier; Vault Services and Magic: Technical Operations Team
Cloud Rendering: Conductor Technologies
Research Assistance: New York Philharmonic Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Knowledge and Legacy Team
Dancers: Aaron Williams, Adia Edmondson, Alysha Mcknight, Anastasia Gregorio, Annabel Miller Green, Arianna Francesca Black, Arthur Gorlorwulu, Bee Kelly, Brielle Ivy Henderson, Brooklyn Libao, Camryne Bryce Quinn, Casey Schwarz, Christofer Medina, Dava Huesca, Dymon Samara, Easton Nguyen, Elena Dalakoudi, Enrica Zaini, Gibson Sword, Grace O’Mara, Haley Morgan Miller, Hannah Howell, Imani Curry-Johnson, Jada M. Alfred, Jaylyn Garcia, Jessica Watkins, Josi Díaz, Juliette Marie, Kai Nakayama, Kaitlyn Chang, Kandace Campbell, Kimberly Chok, Kya Azeen, Kyara Scott, Lauren Barette, Lauren Olson, Lexi Sim, Lia Lewis, Liam Mclaughlin, Lilith Morris, Lisaundor Blossom Reid, Low D’Agostino, Malik Berry, Marie Gabrielle Lorenzo, Maxi Hawkeye Canion, Mia Jamerson, Mikee Ellis, Morgan Gregory, Najah Aldridge, Nandini Kannan, Nhyira Oforiwaa Asante, Nia Simone Washington-Saed, Nicholas “Primo” Segar, O’Shae “Sage” Sibley, Olivia Boisson, Omarion Richard Burke, Patrick Gamble, Pearl Madnick, Priscilla Tom, Riley Newman, Robyn Ayers, Seira Soraya, Skye Jackson- Williams, Sooah Madison, Sydney Faye Erwin, Toni Owens, Wren Coleman, Zachary Burrows, Zev Haworth
Musicians: Alexandra Ridout, Alexandria Worthley, Alexis Rondon, Angel Munoz-Avila, Audrey Pretnar, Benjamin Wason, Bernell Jones II, Bethlehem Hadgu, Caitlin Fischer, Camerahn Alforque, Carla Fortmann, Carlos Aguilar, Christine (Lola) Santiago, Chrystelle Catalano, Dana Saba David, David Ladwig, Drew Stier, Georgi Lekov, Ian Muñoz, Isabel Serrano, Jakub Piotr Wycislik, Jamicka Johnson-Hector, Jason Inyoung Lee, Joey Machina, Joshua Mathew, Julia Cumming, Karina Byakova, Kevin Kuh, Kylie Ku’uleinani Minako Fernandez, Liam John Cashin, Michelle David, Nathan Diesendruck, Nina Tompkins, Pedro Asfora, Rebecca Leilah Chaqor, Remy Yin, Sam Chung, Samir Robinson, Seira Soraya, Shaleah Feinstein, Sophia Kickhofel, Sulamit Gorski, Theo Liao, Theo Rockas, Toluwalase Ojo, Vincent Turrie, Yazmin Janelle Lancaster, Zach Adleman
