The Frank Gallery presents “The Crossings: A Global Movement Experience” Fall Exhibition

The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery in Pembroke Pines presents “The Crossings: A Global Movement Experience”, a spectacular fall exhibition from September 12, 2024, through November 7, 2024. Amidst the constraints of physical and metaphysical borders, “The Crossings: A Global Movement Experience” transcends these limitations. Conceived by the visionary choreographer Damaris Ferrer, this project unfolds as a dynamic narrative that transcends traditional dance and performance, redefining the essence of communal storytelling through movement. All ages are welcome to attend an Opening Reception on Thursday, September 12th from 6 – 9pm, which will feature free entry, live music, complimentary refreshments, and hors d’oeuvres at The Frank Gallery, located at 601 City Center Way in the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida 33025. This Event is Free & Open to the Public. RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE.

Born from Ferrer’s work with Broward College students in 2019, the project employs a monumental skirt—over 20 feet long with eight waistbands—as a conduit for shared experiences and collective movement. This garment compels participants to navigate movement together, fostering a deep sense of community and responsiveness. As the pandemic halted traditional performances in 2020, Ferrer reimagined her vision, discarding conventional choreography for an open-ended “movement score.” This score invited participants, or “movers,” to engage in unscripted, intentional journeys observed by their communities. This approach resonates with relational aesthetics, emphasizing human interaction within social contexts.

The project’s inaugural crossing took place in November 2020 at Long Key Nature Center in Davie, Florida, followed by crossings in diverse global locations. Each crossing, facilitated and documented uniquely, became a ritual of connection and transformation, reflecting the cultural contexts of its participants. The skirt, carried in a duffle bag adorned with signatures from around the world, symbolizes the shared creative spirit that transcends geographical boundaries.

Central to the exhibition is the skirt itself, a living artifact of the collective journey. The space is transformed into a living map, featuring multimedia elements such as photographs, videos, and audio narrations. Visitors are invited to become active witnesses, dissolving the traditional divide between performer and audience.

“The Crossings” celebrates the interconnectedness of our global community, challenging conventional boundaries of artmaking. It offers a hopeful gaze towards new collaborative methodologies, amplifying often unheard voices and weaving a rich tapestry of global narratives. This exhibition invites us to embrace the intentional journey forward, celebrating the transformative power of collective artistic action and the boundless potential of movement to unite, narrate, and inspire. Experience the Opening Reception at The Frank Gallery on Thursday, September 12th from 6 – 9pm, located at 601 City Center Way in the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida 33025. This Event is Free & Open to the Public.

The community can learn more about the City of Pembroke Pines’ latest Events by subscribing to Pembroke Pines Media on YouTube, to NewsFlash, a twice a month digital newsletter at www.ppines.com/Newsflash, by reading the city’s digital newspaper City Connect and website via www.ppines.com, checking the city’s digital signage, or by visiting the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofpembrokepines, and @cityofppines for Twitter and Instagram. Residents with Comcast can view Pembroke Pines Media programming on Channel 78.