Ellen Antoinette Oliver

“Folding Ascents” is an interdisciplinary dance film project that explores the relationship between outdoor rock climbing and dance. Contemporary dancer Ellen Oliver is collaborating with Rhode Island rock climber William Flores to create and record 3 site-specific dance films that integrate the technique and environmental awareness in rock climbing. The project takes place in the dance studio, indoor rock climbing gym, and outdoor bouldering and sport climbing sites. The films explore the architecture of the rocks in relation to the human body. Particularly, this project focuses on ways in which the human body can fold itself into different shapes to conform to the rock and environment.