I feel grateful to call Ania Catherine one of my most dear friends here in Los Angeles - and grateful for the internet that brought us together. I remember seeing her while in an instagram wormhole and felt so inspired, refreshed and beyond curious about who this woman was. I had to know her. So I reached out and instantly felt like we had been friends before.
You may recognize Ania's face and body from our most recent rebranding campaign shot by photographer Ford, and if not only there - around Los Angeles where she curates and performs dance pieces. Her movement brings the questions of not only how to use the everyday into the dance, but also how to remove the idea how the female is supposed to be seen in dance. Her work is more than movement of the body but ( a ) movement of the feminine. She questions the abstract, the commercial, the feminist, the queer, and the overall gender gaze. Portraying it all within a fresh and in the most present moment time. As the viewer you sometimes even become part of the performance, part of the community, and part of the landscape that gives art a purpose and soul. Ania choreographs pieces for films, music video, and photo. Along with collaborators like the extremely talented immersive experience designer, Dejha Ti (Ania's wife) she puts on performance that includes light, fine art, and other types of mixed media installations in galleries, un-expecting public places such as train stations, cafe's, unused buildings, and in theatre's alike.
With each experience put on, she becomes part of the culture that Los Angeles is starving for, the culture that is shaping the artistic shift in this crazy town. The gift we are all so excited to open.
-xo
Gloria
Who are you?
My name is Ania Catherine. I'm an artist working in choreography, performance, and film. I went to graduate school for gender studies and politics, and I consider my creative work to be an extension of my academic research and beliefs about gender, sexuality, and social power.
Why do you make your work?
Today, more than ever people are realizing/imagining what is possible for their lives through the consumption of visual media--photos, film, experiences. I find making art to be extremely important because artists are either expanding the imaginaries of future generations or creating/reinforcing limits. I use my work as a platform to inject new possibilities of life into the world.
What do you believe in?
I believe in not living a pre-packaged life. I also believe that if you have the privilege to choose exactly how you want to live, it is your responsibility to use that position to extend that option to others.
Name one thing you say yes to?
Change.
And one thing you say no to?
Comparison.
What change would you like to see?
I would like to see all forms of oppression die a quick death, although I know unfortunately it will more than likely be a slow and painful one.
Name one thing that makes you happy?
The moment an idea arises and I rush to find a pen to write it down before it floats away.
How would you describe your personal routine?
How would you describe your personal routine?
Purely functional and slightly inconsistent which I would actually like to change in the next year. I want to learn to take my time and do everything with more ease and intention, more carefully, less frantically.
What did you want to be as a child?
A singer.
Can you remember one solid piece of advice you've gotten for the growth of your business / work ?
Just keep going.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Rei Kawakubo.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Rei Kawakubo.
Who is one person in culture/ media / etc. that you feel is making positive and inspiring change ?
It's hard to name one person. I believe change is made by revolutionary figures but also through small everyday actions and decisions by individuals around the world. That collective effort is a major force, and seeing the transformative potential of even just a simple conversation between family members is when I feel the most optimistic.