iHowl

iHowl a duet with Cori Kresge, is a dance piece inspired by Allen Ginsberg’s seminal poem Howl. Written in 1955, Howl gave voice to a generation alienated by the effects of capitalism.  iHowl's contemporary version takes its inspiration from Ginsberg's work to comment on the effects of capitalism on the body. The piece began in 2016, is set to section two of Howl, titled “Moloch.”  In “Moloch,” Ginsberg uses the Canaanite deity to symbolize the carnivorous behavior of capitalism on the body. iHowl responds not only to the rapaciousness of capitalism but to the psychic violence borne out of chauvinism, bigotry and xenophobia; our current state of terror in 2020. Reminiscent of Graham's protest dances in the 1930s, iHowl works with movements that are strident, harsh, and percussive. Ultimately, iHowl is a restless dance that nearly exhausts itself through sheer stamina but remains buoyantly hopeful.

Still in development, the following video clip shows the final section of iHowl danced by Cori Kresge.