Fence Project — Ben Coleman

**“As a work, fence resists assimilation through classification. It was deeply affecting and rhetorically expressive…”**

- Robin Wharton, Art Papers

Original musical score and sound design for new work by Staibdance, presented by Emory Dance Program (with a live score performed by the composer) at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Atlanta GA, Oct 2019 and has subsequently toured what we currently call North America from 2021-present.

fence is a journey into a messy world of power struggles and dismissed histories, and an examination of how "otherness" can rob our power or become its source. Staib's intensely physical movement vocabulary bonds with traditional Iranian dance, exploring unrest felt personally and globally. - www.staibdance.com

fence was presented by The American Dance Festival (ADF) in 2023. ADF, a recognized leader in modern dance, has presented major, established companies and emerging artists from around the world since 1934. Staibdance is the first-ever Atlanta-based company to perform at this iconic festival!

fence was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

A dancer leaps into the air, her legs parted. Between her legs we see another dancer sitting on the floor looking up at them.

Two dancers lean their backs together and reach around to touch each others hair, necks, chests and shoulders, as well as their own.

Six dancers have their knees bent and arms spread wide, captured while in motion.

Videography by Hal Jacobs
Photos by Christina Massad