Passage — in the wake of the world

Project launch
May 20 to October 16,  2023
Chambers Fine Art, New York

Passage — in the wake of the world is a trans-disciplinary, trans-generational and trans-cultural artists collaboration conceived by Angela Lyn responding to the uncertainties of our time. The project brings together a painter, a musician and a choreographer. It has been developed digitally between Miami, New York, London and Lugano and continues to evolve throughout its journey to various international destinations. 

Info: cfa@chambersfineart.com

the storm raged
with no beginning nor end 

we  tied ourselves to the mast
the darkness churning us inside out
we had fallen asleep on the edge of time
dreaming of another world

we  woke

the vessel slumped on the rock
we  lay spent on the wooden floor
floating in and out of sleep
our  breath weaving threads
into the cool morning air

we  had thrown everything overboard

everything

who are we? 
where are we going? 

what is the measure?

Artist’s statement

A wooden crate measuring 154×212×52 cm containing 20 made-to-measure paintings embarks on a journey from Angela Lyn’s studio in southern Switzerland to New York, where the crate is unpacked and installed. A physical and metaphoric narrative, the crate transforms into a sailing vessel carrying two passengers: two dancers. Their interacting with the paintings and the music becomes a metamorphosis of dreams and realities stirring in the wake of an uncertain world.

Having survived a wild storm, the passengers find themselves stranded in a state of amnesia. They awaken to music, slowly becoming aware of a world they have lost. In the search to survive, they leave the vessel and come upon a mirage of cedar trees. Drawn to the branches, they are overcome by euphoria and, wandering without direction, they discover an abandoned heavy doll, the size of a newborn. Their illusions crumble as the memories of who they are and what has happened surface. They return to the vessel bearing the weight of their discoveries.

Evening comes. They walk together to the black mountain — a rite of passage leading to unknown horizons.
Night falls; they retreat, waiting for dawn.

Angela Lyn, 2023

Chambers ArtFarm

Designed by the renowned artist Ai Wei-Wei, Chambers ArtFarm sits in the remote countryside of upstate New York  like a stranded whale. The project launch immersed its spectators in an unexpected performance within the evocative high-tech building.

Angela Lyn’s Passage — in the wake of the world is an extraordinary artwork in pace with the times. It is an artistic inquiry of uncertainties and fragilities, fears and hopes, contradictions and paradoxes of the present times.
The complexity, depth and manifoldness of the work is the consequence of an artistic and societal urgency, realized in an unparalleled collaboration of three artists containing multitudes — different in their disciplinary practices and competences, in age, gender, living environments and culture.

Giaco Schiesser, professor emeritus for cultural theory, media theory and for artistic research,
Zurich University of the Arts, ZHdK, Switzerland

Artists

Angela Lyn is a painter living and working in southern Switzerland. The hybridity of her Anglo-Chinese origin is a major source of her enquiries into what connects us and what separates us. Her artistic practice includes painting, sculpture, installation, video and text through which she examines the value of time and presence in an ever more frenetic pace of life.

Jesse Bannister is an Anglo-Indian musician and composer based in London. Combining his knowledge of classical Indian music with jazz, Bannister creates new forms of music, fusing his eastern roots with the experience of growing up in the UK. Bannister performs internationally and is currently pursuing a PhD at York University, UK, researching the impact of music on our well-being. www.jessebannister.co.uk

Durante Verzola is a Filipino-American choreographer currently on staff with the Miami City Ballet. He has choreographed works for Miami City Ballet, New York City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and more throughout the US. His work has been shown at The Guggenheim and The Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU. Verzola works to expand the vocabulary and reach of classical ballet into today’s ever-changing world. www.verzolaballet.com

Dancers under the direction of Durante Verzola
Itzkan Dzul Barbosa, began her classical ballet training at age two. She later trained with Ballet Academy East and Miami City Ballet School. Formerly engaged by the Miami City Ballet, she is currently a member of the New York Theatre Ballet. For the next season Itzkan has been invited to join BalletX, Philadelphia.

Michael Holden, based in NYC, started dancing at the age of three. He began his professional training at the Miami City Ballet School and later danced with the Miami City Ballet company. Michael has performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. He is currently expanding his career on Broadway.

Film documentation

Passage – in the wake of the world is documented by various filmmakers 

One: From the window
Angela Lyn in her studio
A film by Olexander Ulyss, Kyiv
DOP: Dmitriy Gorash, Zurich
in collaboration with Lechbinska Gallery, Zurich

Three: Passage – in the wake of the world
Film trailer by Filmerei, Zurich

A short film by Filmerei, Zurich, CH  to be released Nov 2023
Directed by Angela Lyn
Choreography by Durante Verzola, Miami
Music by Jesse Bannister, London
with dancers Itzkan Adzul Barbosa and Michael Holden, NYC
filmed at Chambers ArtFarm, Salt Point, NY