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manu[FW23-SS24]

//commissioned by Anuj Bhutani for his Thornton Master’s Thesis project
//Oracle Egg BROILER residency

Directed, produced and edited by Johans.
Co-produced by Lindsay Lykins and Eilythia Penati
Choreographed by Lindsay Lykins
Original music by Anuj Bhutani

Event Photography © Katie Luo

[live recording]

[abstract]

manu is a multifaceted exploration of Anuj's cultural identity as a first-gen Indian-American. Through dance and film, he delves into his diverse musical background, creating interconnected self-portraits in an evening-length performance.

Time moves through many abstractions of reality, distorting creation, transformation and destruction through dreams, people, our subconscious or even places; what does it mean to be one in a place of many?

[about]

Multidisciplinary in essence, this expansive project unveils the procedural and ambitious experimentation of dance, film, and live performance. After talking with Anuj, we were determined to bring something new and fresh to the stage. Although movement has always been part of my medium, my early experiments with dance in [A Shade of Light] and my work on [nuwarii] convinced me that dance had to be included in this project. I spoke with Lindsay, my housemate and a very talented dancer and choreographer, who was excited to choreograph for the diverse and challenging styles Manu proposed. We collaborated to realize the visions Eylithia and I had written and to expand the project's visual language.

Throughout a long semester of producing films and stage performances, we managed to shoot in more than ten locations, conduct a live rehearsal, organize a fundraiser event, and pack Oracle Egg’s stage. As the director and head producer, this project challenged my skills not only in the art form but also in balancing school work and personal life.

[films]

[credits]

[film + live]

fr_m_d by
With the support of
Direction, Photography, Writing & Production
Co-Production, Photography & Writing
Co-Production, Photography & Choreography
Live Production Design
Additional Photography
Live Photography
Fashion Design & Styling

Eilythia Penati & johans.
Movement in Motion Collective
johans.
Eilythia Penati
Lindsay Lykins
Karla Huazano
Amy Pham
Katie Luo
Mika Sharderbakova
Angie Rockey
Jenny Peihan Yu

[film + live]

[performances]

Anuj Bhutani
Janae Holster
Leeann Ross
Arjun Kochhar
Jonah Tran
Ambar Matos Ortiz
Samiyah Norris
Tamar Gabelev
Sadie Grace Shelbourne
Emily Liu
Aristotle Hartzell
Ellery Donlon
SLATERROSE
Leon Powell

[sound]

All music composed and performed
by Anuj Bhutani in collaboration with:

Violin on II-IV. and XI.
Tabla on II-V.
Additional vocals on I-III., V.,
and featured vocals on XI.
Guitar on II.
Guitar on III.
Trumpet on II-III.
Co-writer and production on XI.

Madeline Hocking
Neelamjit Dhillon

Alice TM
Dustin Carlson
Michael Alexander
Chris Van Leeuwen
Dan Langa

[return to list of works]