Gorgeous Tongue

Lara Kramer

Anchored in this world and orbiting a universe beyond, a lone performer unfolds memories on stage through rhythmic scores. For Gorgeous Tongue, Lara Kramer invites Nêhiyaw/Métis dance artist Jeanette Kotowich to embody stories, dreams, and songs that stem from Lara’s Anishinaabe lineage. Entering Kramer’s artistic constellation, Kotowich performs multiple movement sequences to embrace the past and usher in a new world. Gorgeous Tongue is a celebration of Indigenous transmission, transformation, and futurity.

Born out of two artists’ chemistry and kinship, this solo oscillates between the need for regulation and the discovery of a new appetite. Following Windigo (2018, FTA) and Them Voices (2021 and 2022, FTA), Lara Kramer explores the need and drive for pleasure and
the strength of instinctual connections.

“And we are asked, “Do you still want to go?” This is them stories of our journey from the stars. Of how we came to be. Somewhere amongst all these strands, we are weaving our imagination. Dreaming for hard loving and future journeys. Transporting in soft gorgeous tongue. ” ~Lara Kramer

CREDITS

Conceived, Created, Set and Sound Design

Lara Kramer

Performance

Jeanette Kotowich

Guest Artist

François Bouvier

Outside Eye

Peter James

Lighting Design and Technical Director

Jo Vignola

Knowledge Keeper

Ida Baptiste

Elder

Emerson Ninigishki’ing

Techical Director Assistant

Chloé Depommier

Co-produced

Festival TransAmériques + Centre de Création O Vertigo – CCOV

Creative Residencies

Centre de Création O Vertigo – CCOV + Compagnie Marie Chouinard + MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels)

With the support

Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec

Presented in association

Agora de la danse + Tangente

Premiered at

Festival TransAmériques on May 31, 2024

Written and translated

Julie Burelle