Program Notes
The Distance Between Us
This piece was written for the E.P.I.C. Duo, which consists of Dr. Victoria Deutsch and myself. “The Distance Between Us” centers on the theme that friendships, relationships, and community are stronger than the “distance” between us. This “distance” can be physical, or it can be differing opinions and ideas that potentially separate us. However, the bonds we make with others help create a space to have difficult conversations through understanding and compassion. The piece incorporates audio and visual components that provide an immersive experience for the audience. The multimedia collaborator for this piece was Ina de Alba. Read detailed program below.
“The Distance Between Us” is divided into four continuous movements:
I. Alone
The first movement, titled “Alone,” draws on the ideas and emotions of isolation, loneliness, and not having a community. The visuals portray the battle between light and dark that comes with feeling alone and how it can sometimes be all-consuming.
II. Connection
The piece then transitions into the second movement, “Connection,” which has a more uplifting feel. I try to capture the feeling of finding community and building bonds of friendship. The visuals of dots and lines represent the interwoven and vast network a community can create.
III. Distance
The third movement, “Distance,” completely destroys all the connections made in the previous movement by showing how easily these bonds can be broken. The visuals are chaotic and jarring. The fast-moving text and computer-like visuals depict the dangers of fighting online and the devastation that arguing through social media can bring.
IV. Togetherness
The last movement, “Togetherness,” is an attempt to repair the destruction that intolerance, bigotry, and hate caused in the previous movement. A taste of the bright future is shown in the visuals. However, the piece ends exactly like the opening as a warning that if we don’t put our differences, egos, pride, etc. aside, we will only find ourselves alone. It is up to all of us to close the distance between us in order to move forward in a positive and productive way.