Liz Lerman performance to combine dance, genetics

Modern dance, science and ethics will combine in a clash of creativity at 8 p.m. tonight on the IU Auditorium stage.

The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange will present a performance titled “Ferocious Beauty: Genome,” a look at the ethical questions that arise from the progression of molecular science.

“Liz Lerman is a true genius,” said Doug Booher, director of the IU Auditorium. “Not just in terms of her creative ability with choreography or modern dance, but in terms of understanding a situation and opportunity.”

The company is in town for a 10-day residency that includes panel sessions, workshops and tonight’s performance. Lerman has also been in the classroom and studio alongside IU’s contemporary dance students. Booher said the auditorium jumped at the opportunity to bring Lerman to Bloomington.

“She is one of those people that has an ability to talk to anyone, to gain their insight and then shape that into a piece of artwork that helps us all understand each other,” Booher said.

Booher described the company’s performance as a creative multimedia work that takes a look at how society’s understanding of DNA will inform and shape future social and ethical decisions.

“Not only will there be dancers on stage, but there are all sorts of technological enhancements ... that will make the audience’s experiences come to life,” Booher said.

The performance will also look at how genetics might be manipulated regarding these ethical questions.

“From that standpoint, the subject matter of the dance will be looking at those things that come to us through a greater understanding of the human genome and all the societal effects of that,” Booher said.

Sophomore Eric Francis said he thought the idea of mixing dance and genetics was interesting.

“I mean, she is definitely taking a different approach to this topic,” Francis said.

Junior LeBraun Hampton is a dance student and instructor for ballroom and social dance at IU. Hampton will see the performance tonight with his class The Anthropology of Dance.

“It is an embodiment performance,” Hampton said. “It gives us a chance to see different aspects and categories of dance.”

Hampton said he has known about Lerman since he studied her in his modern dance class.

“She is very well-known in the modern dance world,” Hampton said. “I really am excited to see the show.”