Kaeja d’Dance presents: Laneway ART-ery Dances, a site-specific interactive digital installation. As part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021-2022, two of Toronto’s alleyways will be animated with thought provoking contemporary dance. Launching on September 22, 2021 for a full year. Audiences can visit anytime at no cost.

Laneway ART-ery Dances features 4 short dance films including one augmented reality (AR) experience. All films can be accessed using a mobile device. The AR experience will ignite the dancers to appear as if they are dancing live in the laneway, allowing each audience member to become fully immersed in the installation. While Kaeja d’Dance has been creating dance films for many years, this is their first project to incorporate augmented reality technology. Both the films and the augmented reality experience can be viewed from any mobile device, making the performance personalized and safe to enjoy while adhering to COVID protocols. The dance films feature 7 professional dancers, 7 community participants, and a commissioned score by Edgardo Moreno.

“I see Laneway ART-ery Dances as an invitation to consider the many stories and experiences that pass through the alleys of Toronto. Images of passing vulnerability, strength, and resilience come forward in these works, as if these alleys hold the stories of all of those who pass through. This metaphor becomes apparent in the AR component. We see two wonderful dancers appear in the alley, but we can only witness them through the screen of our devices. It is like the camera of your device is able to harness the memories that live in the alley, memories that are impossible to experience through the naked eye.” – Mateo Galindo Torres,
Artistic Producer

Laneway ART-ery Dances was funded by Toronto Arts Council and is part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021–2022, a year-long celebration of Toronto’s exceptional public art collection and the creative community behind it. Working closely with artists and Toronto’s arts institutions, ArtworxTO will deliver major public art projects and commissions, citywide, from fall 2021 to fall 2022. Supporting local artists and new artworks that reflect Toronto’s diversity, ArtworxTO is creating more opportunities for citizens to engage with art in their everyday lives. The City of Toronto invites the public to discover creativity and community– everywhere. Visit artworxTO.ca for full details.

DATE: Launching Wednesday, September 22, 2021 to view until September 21, 2022.
LOCATIONS:
Alley 1: Broadcast Lane (Cabbage town) – Start at the north end of the lane (Winchester St)
Alley 2: Ciamaga Lane (Seaton Village/ West Annex) – Start at the north end of the lane (Barton Ave)

CREDITS:
CONCEPT AND CHOREOGRAPHY BY: Karen and Allen Kaeja
DANCERS: Aria Evans, Nickeshia Garrick, Karen Kaeja, Mio Sakamoto, Elke Schroeder, Katherine Semchuk, Irma Villafuerte
FILMS BY: Drew Berry and Allen Kaeja
AR DESIGNERS: Mateo Galindo Torres, Jacob Niedźwiecki

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kaeja.org/laneway

ABOUT KAEJA d’DANCE
Established in 1990, Kaeja is driven by two distinct artistic forces, Karen and Allen Kaeja. Kaeja creates award-winning contemporary dance performances for stage, film & communities that have toured the world. The foundation of their stage and film creation began with fifteen years of Holocaust inspired dance works. Allen is the child of a refugee and Holocaust survivor. Kaeja presents local and international dance artists in Toronto through festival platforms, commissions and mentorships, creating with people of all identities, practices and ages.

Passionate engagers of bridging professional and community dance art, Kaeja has received 40+ awards & nominations.

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