BRKFST

“Making something out of nothing” is an adage that is revered in Hip Hop. Created by marginalized individuals in communities deprived of economic and socio-political resources, breaking was developed out of necessity for individual recognition and respect through experimentation intrinsic to the self-taught nature of the form. A once contaminated, post-industrial area riddled with blatant disregard for humans, wildlife and natural resources, the vision and construction of the Olympic Sculpture Park parallels hip hop’s adage in creating an environment built on pain to reveal beauty.

BRKFST Dance Company will create a site-specific work at Olympic Sculpture Park exploring the act of decaying and what then comes to fruition. Through activities centered around collaboration, partnering, isolation and duration, participants will generate material rooted in the movement and values of breaking, while incorporating elements of their own vocabulary. Breaking vernacular will be drawn from the morning classes where dancers will learn fundamentals including, toprock, go-downs, footwork, powermoves and freezes. Historical context will also be integrated into each lesson as it plays a crucial role into how and why the dance is performed.

Breaking movement relies heavily on balance, weight bearing, strength and momentum. These qualities will be explored within the creative process, outside of their utilitarian context and incorporated into building human sculptures, which will meticulously become undone. Originating on the streets of New York, breaking holds the essence of adaptability to surroundings. As dancers experience the differing ground surfaces spanning Olympic Park, they will learn how to modify choreographic material to enhance their relationship with the land, exploring intentionality and emotional complexity in the movement created.