Beach Birds Film + Director Q&A
Beach Birds Film (14:59 min, HD, Color, Sound)
After a car accident leaves a woman with permanent double vision, she embarks on a healing journey to reconsider the way she sees the world. Inspired by *Merce Cunningham's piece "Beach Birds", the film borrow tropes from experimental film to open the door to a healing trance: Merce Cunningham dancers, shown in photographic negative, perform ballet moves against animated music notes from the score of John Cage (Four3 "Beach Birds") with New York City as a backdrop. Guided by a Shaman and a Guardian, this contemplative composition weaves ritual with trance, echoing the natural world where there’s no division between living beings and nature. A personal exploration that offers insight into the human body and the psyche.
*Marsha Skinner collaborated with Merce Cunningham as the designer of the costumes and décor for his 1991 dance work, "Beach Birds"
Performers: Begoña Rivero, Andres Senra, Ivana Larrosa
Camera: Andres Senra, Ivana Larrosa
Director: Ivana Larrosa
HD 16:9, digital, color, sound; 14:59 min
New York, 2024
About the Artist in Residence
Ivana’s practice brings together video, movement, sound, and natural elements in live expanded cinema performances that explore ecology, perception, and embodied experience. At Governors Island, she is developing Sphere, a performance and installation that weaves recordings of the island’s natural environment, birds, water, and wind, with projection, gesture, and sound. She will also offer guided field walks and hands-on workshops inviting participants to observe, listen, and contribute their own recordings and reflections to the work. instagram.com/ivanalarrosa
How to get to Governors Island?
Ferry Location:
Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6), or Red Hook/Atlantic Basin
The ferry runs every 30 minutes. You can check the ferry schedule here.
Our House
NWNY's house is located at: 410A, Colonels Row
Once you get off the ferry, walk toward the QC Spa and continue following the street. Our house is the first house on the left.
A Day on Governors Island
There will be many other artist residency spaces and events happening throughout the island, and we encourage you to explore and visit other spaces as part of your day.
We also recommend bringing a reusable water bottle, as there are water refill stations throughout the island.
There are several restaurants and food vendors on Governors Island, as well as beautiful green areas perfect for walking, relaxing, or having a picnic. You are also welcome to bring your own food or snacks if you prefer.