produced by CHRISTINA CAMPODONICO & MYAH WILLIAMS
Le Corbusier once stated, “The house is a machine for living.” But what about a dance? In Humachina, or “Human Machine,” Los Angeles’ own Diavolo – Architecture in Motion explores the relationship between human movement and mega-machinery. The piece, first created in 2002 and then restaged in 2006, is once again on tour in Diavolo’s traveling repertoire. Ampersand went behind-the-scenes with DanceMapLA and spent a day with Diavolo to find out how the piece has changed over time. We spoke with Artistic Director Jacques Heim and members of his company to find out how Diavolo’s “Human Machine” ticks.
[Photography by Christina Campodonico | Interviews by Myah Williams]
A Day with Diavolo Still Images
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Exterior Diavolo's Studio Space in the Brewery Arts Complex, Los Angeles | Photo by Christina Campodonico -
Diavolo dancers ready themselves for rehearsal of 'Humachina.' | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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A giant wheel is the centerpiece of 'Humachina.' Dancers crawl, rotate and leap out of the wheel. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Diavolo director Jacques Heim oversees rehearsal | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Diavolo dancers position themselves to rotate the wheel | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Director Jacques Heim's notebook. It contains notes for resetting the piece. 'Humachina' means 'Human Machine' | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Dancer Leandro Damasco takes a spin at the center of the wheel. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Cal Chester (left) spots two dancers. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Illustrations demonstrate flips that the dancers execute in their dance | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Dancers pause for Heim's instructions | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Ezra Masse-Mahar lifts another dancer over his back. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Dancers stand poised to leap into action. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Cal Chester catches Ezra Masse-Mahar as he flips off the rotating wheel. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Director Jacques Heim's notes. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
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Cal Chester takes a languid stretch in the center of the wheel. | Photo by Christina Campodonico
