Bettmann is the choreographer for “Quis Custodiet,” a security-themed dance his company produced to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. What is “Quis Custodiet”? “Quis Custodiet” is the title of the dance my company, Bettmann Dances, will premiere Sept. 2. The title was drawn from an old Greek phrase, Quis Custodet ipsus custodiet, which means “who shall watch the watchers themselves.”
How can you explore security through dance? As a choreographer I’ve made a number of choices picking the stories and relationships that highlight what I think are the most interesting aspects of security since 9/11. In one section, for instance, we retell Bible stories. In the Adam and Eve story, the video projections help place that story in the context of Julian Assange and “information is dangerous.” In another section of the dance, we physically explore limitation based on the preparation to strike. With my arm raised prepared to hit you, my body is limited, and I’ve created some dance developed from that pretty simple physical exploration.
