FSU dance professor selected as artist-in-residence at Glacier National Park

BY: ANNA PRENTISS , JAMIE RAGER

Ilana Goldman, an associate professor in the School of Dance

A Florida State University College of Fine Arts professor and her spouse – a graduate of the college – have been selected as artists-in-residence at Montana’s Glacier National Park to create a dance film focused on global environmental challenges and the effects of humans.

Ilana Goldman, an associate professor in the School of Dance, and Gabriel Williams (MFA in dance, ‘17) will spend four weeks in June exploring the natural and cultural resources of the National Park while pursuing their artistic goals.

“Glacier National Park is a perfect location to examine environmental issues,” Goldman said. “Rapidly melting glaciers are a visible marker of climate change’s impact on the planet.”

For the film, Goldman constructed a garment made of plastic waste she generated over four months. That project has helped her reckon with her personal contribution to the plastic-waste crisis, she said.

“In general, our work explores ‘humans in nature’ and the impact of the environment on the dancer,” Goldman said. “In this work, I want to explore the human impact on the environment through dance — a relationship of the abuser and the abused. Despite the abuse and destruction, the Earth seems to adapt and be quite resilient, but at some point, won’t be able to withstand the assault. What would the Earth look like if it were human — if it moved?”

In 2018, landfills received 27 million tons of plastic, and plastics generation reached 35.7 million tons, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The artist-in-residence program seeks artists whose work is related to the park’s interpretative themes. It also seeks artists who support the mission of the National Park Service and the conservation of these public lands.

“I have a deep love of nature, and it provides me with inspiration, sustenance, wonder and joy,” Goldman said. “Because of this love, I think about sustainability often and try to make environmentally conscious choices.”

The couple will lead three filmmaking workshops during their residency. They’ll also scout locations, choreograph, shoot footage and do preliminary editing of the film.

Goldman will serve as the performer, choreographer, director and editor, and Williams as the videographer.

“We’re very excited to have one of our educators participating in this program,” said FSU School of Dance Chair Anjali Austin. “This National Park is a beautiful and compelling location for this project.”

To learn more about Goldman’s work, including her previous short films, visit IlanaGoldman.org.

For more information visit dance.fsu.edu.

Photo credit: Chris LaBasco, Getty Images