On October 19 and 20, 2024, Flux Projects presented the premier of Braiding Time, Memory and Water, a site-specific interactive dance performance by Sue Schroeder of Core Dance in collaboration with conceptual artist Jonathon Keats and composer Felipe Pérez Santiago. Responding to the geography and ecology of the site, the performance encouraged attendees to reconnect with our natural environment.

Featuring an ensemble of dancers and percussionists, Braiding Time unfolded in three movements on Powers Island along the Chattahoochee River. Keats enlisted the river as timekeeper and collaborator by measuring the river’s flow rate with a water clock (clepsydra) prior to each movement. The result determined the pace of the performance. An original score composed by Santiago was performed by percussionists from Georgia State University with ambient sounds furthering nature’s collaboration to form another auditory layer.

Designed as a collective performance experience, the dancers and percussionists followed the path of the river by moving locations for each movement. Beginning at a picturesque grouping of fallen trees on the water, they transitioned to a bridge over tranquil waters, then concluded their performance on a landing with a scenic vista of the flowing river. For the final movement, the composer invited attendees to participate by playing instruments made during pre-performance community activities.

Braiding Time, Memory and Water was commissioned by Flux Projects and in partnership with Core Dance.