How lonely sits the city

How lonely sits the city is a poetic layering of dance film and live performance that reveals the quiet interior stories of Black identifying dancers who take on angelic-like characters. Personal and historical histories unfold throughout the film works that have been formed publicly in and around historically black neighborhoods of Los Angeles, CA. In this moment, we open vast interior landscapes and embrace the multiplicity of our expression.

The filming of How lonely sits the city is partly supported by California Institute of the Arts and Lone King Projects. The project also received support from Art Share L.A. Ellsworth Artist Residency and L.A. Dance Project.

Collaborators

Choreography, Direction, and Performance:
Marissa Brown
Film Performers: Damontae Hack, Maya Allen, Nadia Maryam
Cinematography and Lighting: Max Harper
Music and Sound: Isaac Middleton and Ashley “Robi” Robicheaux
Film Production Assistance: Marlie Couto
Photos: Chris Armenta

About Marissa Brown

Marissa Brown (She/Her) is a biracial, Black and Portuguese, Multidisciplinary artist. Her primary language comes from movement of the body and translates into works of live performance, film, installation, photography, and publication. She has her BFA in Performance and Choreography from University of California Irvine and MFA from California Institute of the Arts.Her work has been shown with NAVEL, MOCA Geffen, REDCAT, CURRENT SESSIONS, Movement Research at the Judson Church, Triskelion Arts, BAX Upstart Festival, IDACO Festival, MNE Emerging Choreographer Series, RAD Fest, and Aesthetica Short Film Festival. She has received residencies from Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts and White Leaves both in New Mexico, Gallim X Create: ART in New York, and two residencies with LA Dance Project: 2245 Choreographic Residency in California. Her work has been commissioned for ODC Theater State of Play Festival, dance companies The Assembly and Oquirrh West Project, and for brand American Apparel. She is currently an artist in residence with Art Share L.A. and recently showed work publicly with the city of Los Angeles as part of the Collective Memory Installation.