French-Malian choreographer/dancer
Smaïl Kanouté’s
Never Twenty One makes its U.S. premiere in a
FIAF co-presentation with
New York Live Arts and
Villa Albertine as part of
Crossing The Line Festival. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement’s #Never21 hashtag, this deeply resonant piece pays tribute to young people of color who have lost their lives to gun violence all over the world before reaching the age of 21. Segments of powerful testimonies from victims’ family members are transcribed on the dancers’ bodies, combining dance and visual art. The dancers’ intense movement draws on contemporary and intuitive dance, krump, popping and baile funk in recounting the stories of many broken lives. Featuring dancers
Smaïl Kanouté,
Aston Bonaparte and
Salomon Mpondo-Dicka.