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Divide Light: The Operatic Performance Costumes of Lesley Dill Exhibition debut
February 6, 2014 @ 9:00 am - April 13, 2014 @ 6:00 pm
In conjunction with the exhibition Faith and the Devil on view at the University of Arkansas Fine Arts Center Gallery, the Walton Arts Center presents the exhibition debut:
Divide Light: The Operatic Performance Costumes of Lesley Dill
Curated by Cynthia Nourse Thompson
The Joy Pratt Markham Gallery at The Walton Arts Center
Exhibition of costumes from the performance of Divide Light
February 6 – April 13, 2014
Reception: First Thursday Fayetteville, Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 5:30pm
Screening of the film of the opera performance
Thursday, March 6 at 5:30pm a continuous loop of the film will occur during the reception
In this apex of her performative work, Lesley Dill’s opera Divide Light is based on the complete works of poet Emily Dickinson. Lesley conceived of this opera, was the artistic director and collaborated with composer, Richard Marriott. This is the first time the operatic performance costumes have been exhibited. The Walton Arts Center and the University of Arkansas are pleased to present these to the public and community-at-large.
Divide Light follows a dramatic and emotional contour, exploring a range of emotions from vulnerability and fear to ecstasy, joy and exhilaration. Divide Light premiered August 13, 2008 at the Montalvo Arts Center and featured performances by Del String Quartet; the 45-voices of The Choral Project; Jennifer Goltz, soprano; Kathleen Moss, mezzo soprano; and Andrew Eisenmann, baritone. The performers sing Dickinson’s words and also wear Dill’s ravishing costumes with the words scrawled across them. The set is a continuously moving video installation of poems and Dill’s evocative black-and-white photographs. Film of opera was made by Ed Robbins, 82 minute DVD, a 12 minute sample DVD, and an 82 minute soundtrack. Divide Light was commissioned by Montalvo Arts Center, and supported in part by grants from the Rockefeller Foundation Multi Arts Production Fund, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.