Rebecca Daniels
(This article appeared in the Woodstock Times in October 2004. Reprinted with permission of the Woodstock Times.)
Generally speaking, art openings are not the ideal time to view art. A gallery full of people talking, eating and drinking tends to be distracting, and the crowd may even obscure the artwork from sight. Last Friday night, Andres and Marguerite San Millan, co-founders of Cocoon Theatre in Rhinebeck, devised an ingenious way of presenting visual art by prefacing its display with an original modern dance work.
As an introduction to the exhibition titled "Touched by an Angel," the audience gathered in Cocoon’s spacious dance studio to see Marguerite San Millan perform a solo modern dance piece, "Mighty Floodwaters," choreographed by her husband. As we listened to the sounds of flowing water, the lights came up to reveal a seated figure in a blue/gray tie-died body suit. The walls were draped in black, and a large piece of plastic covered most of the floor. To the sounds of Zen-like electronic music, the dancer rose and slowly picked up the plastic, covering herself to the point where her body was almost lost in layers of plastic. The shiny plastic was draped in such a way that it resembled wings, making a swooshing sound like waves when she moved her arms. Her movements were mesmerizing - first slow, then sudden, like the music, and the overall effect was mysterious, sensual and ominous. The piece ended with the dancer rolling off stage, cocooning herself even more completely in plastic.
As the audience applauded, waiting eagerly for the dancer to take a bow (she never did), the artist/choreographer, Andres San Millan, moved deliberately around the room drawing back the black draperies to expose a series of twenty large, colorful oil paintings on masonite that lined all four walls of the studio. In total silence, the audience watched as painting after painting of nude male and female figures was revealed. The effect was powerful and immediate, an ideal way to present the work.
As the artist says in his statement about the show, angels, whether dark or light, have the capacity to change our lives, bringing blessings or disaster. His paintings are meant to illuminate "a power beyond our own [that] effects change and touches us every day." His nudes are unabashedly sensual and dramatic, their mood sometimes tragic. The artist’s palette consists mostly of soft, warm earth tones, and the realistic figures often seem to be emerging from abstract space and/or blending into the background. The overall effect is a blend of earthiness and mysticism.
Afterwards, in the lobby, refreshments were served amidst eight of Andres’ semi-abstract sculptures, giving us time to contemplate them further and talk to the artist. All of the sculptures are made from found wood. The artist became interested in debris after 9/11 and started using it creatively as part of his healing process. "Familiar Portrait," a geometric construction of plywood and nails, is meant to evoke the Twin Towers as a family watches the destruction, their mouths agape. "Wrath," his largest piece, is made of bark and tree limbs. There’s a dramatic, emotional quality to most of Andres’ work, and this piece is no exception. Its size and ominous quality would make it a perfect outdoor installation. Other pieces by the artist will be on display in Hudson at the Old Allen Street School (Partition between 1st and 2nd) as part of the annual "Arts Walk," running October 1-10.
This multi-talented couple has already made a huge contribution to the arts in our area; Cocoon Theatre brings visual and performing arts classes, workshops and performances to students and audiences of all ages. Coming up next at the Rhinebeck theatre is a reading of "The Escape Artist," an original screenplay by Julia Van Develder on November 6. Later in November, the Cocoon Theatre Modern Dance Company will present "Peace," choreographed by Andres San Millan. There’s a special interactive Halloween program on Sunday October 31. An original version of "A Christmas Carol," will be presented in December.
The art show continues from 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, October 8 and 9, and 2 p.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, October 10. There will be a second dance performance of "Mighty Floodwaters" at 8 p.m., Friday, October 8. Cocoon Theatre is located at 6384 Mill Street (Rt. 9) in Rhinebeck (directly across from the Beekman Arms). For information, call 876-6470 or visit their website at www.cocoontheatre.org