Introduction to Ballet as a Conservation Tool
It’s audacious to plunk a stage in a prairie, then film ballet dancers inspired by endangered whooping cranes. But that’s what Chicago-based filmmaker Tim Whalen did in partnership with the International Crane Foundation in “Mates for Life: Whooping Crane.” The ballet-driven conservation film premiered Tuesday at Facets.
The Intersection of Arts and Nature
I’m all for the intersection of the arts and nature and the audacity of Whalen and his collaborators. (I’ve never written ballet and conservation in the same sentence before.) It’s the first of “an art-meets-nature film series, `Mates for Life.’ ” The film was privately funded and is to benefit the ICF and the Joffrey Ballet.
Bringing Conservation to Life Through Dance
I’m out of my natural environment with ballet. But, I’ve watched hundreds of thousands of cranes (sandhills and whoopers) and the dancers matched the majestic movements of cranes in the wild.
Anne Lacy, ICF’s director of the eastern flyway programs for North America, said in Q&A, “It was exquisite, spot on, especially in Act 2 in the grasses.” Then, like cranes in the wild, Joffrey dancers Olivia Duryea and Dylan Gutierrez bobbed in and out of view through the prairie vegetation. Xavier Núñez choreographed the dancers to show the elegance and power of whoopers as they meet and form a lifetime bond. Whalen filmed it at distance similar to the nature films of which many of us are familiar
Conservation Efforts for Whooping Cranes
A pair of endangered whooping cranes.
In the 1940s, whooping cranes were down to 20. Now there are more than 800 in North America. The ICF (savingcranes.org), founded in the 1973 to protect all 15 crane species around the world, is headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin, near the Wisconsin Dells. It’s a must-see if nearby. We toured it when the kids were young.
Future Projects
Whalen describes " `Mates for Life’ [as] a performing arts film series inspired by bird species that form lifelong bonds.”
Lacy suggested, from her biologist’s background, the overall project might be better named, “Mates for Now.” (It’s OK to laugh.)
Next up is barn owl. Whalen showed a small preview Tuesday.
View the whooping crane film and learn about “Mates for Life” at matesforlife.co/.
Conclusion
The use of ballet as a conservation tool is an innovative approach to raising awareness about endangered species. By combining the beauty of dance with the importance of conservation, filmmakers like Tim Whalen are creating a new way to engage audiences and inspire action. The success of "Mates for Life: Whooping Crane" is a testament to the power of this approach, and we can expect to see more projects like this in the future.
FAQs
Q: What is "Mates for Life"?
A: "Mates for Life" is a performing arts film series inspired by bird species that form lifelong bonds.
Q: What is the goal of the project?
A: The goal of the project is to raise awareness about endangered species and inspire action through the use of ballet and film.
Q: How can I learn more about the project?
A: You can learn more about the project at matesforlife.co/.
Q: What is the next project in the series?
A: The next project in the series will feature the barn owl.
Q: How can I support the project?
A: You can support the project by watching the films, sharing information about the project, and donating to the International Crane Foundation.
