He Walks on the Wings of the Wind (2007)

“Dorfman also creates an ingeniously layered environment… where dancers manipulate folding screens that organize the space… The dance builds steadily with acrobatic partnering…leading up to a fun-filled ending where kids pelt the audience with colored hand socks and encourage viewers to follow the leader, conducting a multi-hued symphony of gestures.” -The Star Ledger

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Commissioned by ‘Access to Art’ in Cape May, Dorfman’s work celebrates the life and work of Philadelphia visual artist, Sam Maitin. A renowned artist, teacher, and humanitarian, Maitin’s works are on display at the Tate Museum, The Smithsonian, The National Gallery, MOMA and the Philadelphia Art Museum among many museums, buildings, hospitals and private collections.

Premiering in March 2007 at the Two River Theater, with a repeat performance May 19th at the Cape May Performing Arts Center, the work explores Maitin’s idiosyncratic mannerisms, process, relationships and humanistic philosophy. His interest was in creating works that celebrated life through form and color. An outgoing optimist and lover of life, he passionately engaged viewers by revealing the process of art-making and inviting the community, especially children, into the “making of art.” With this focus in mind, the final section of this dance includes student performers from the community and the integration of the audience into the fabric of the work.

The music for this work draws from a classical repertoire for Piano and Violin by both Mozart and Bach. The work is performed live in concert with pianist, Mika Chang, a “virtual daughter” to Sam Maitin and an extraordinary musician in her own right, and violinist, Michael Ludwig, Concert Master of the Buffalo Philharmonic and former long -time Associate Concert Master of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Both are founding members of the Mondrian Ensemble, a group that comprises Ms. Chang, Mr. Ludwig and string players from the Philadelphia Orchestra. In four movements, the work reveals aspects of Sam’s personality, introspection, zest for living and the essence of his art. The work includes a set of 5 cut-out screens by visual artist, Christine Martens, her second collaboration with Carolyn Dorfman Dance. These larger-than-life pieces create various architectural environments as well as offer vehicles to explore color and design. With costumes by Katherine Winter and lighting by Sean Perry, the work embraces and bathes the senses.