Jonah Bokaer's Techno-Nation

According to Jonah Bokaer, there is - and should be - a relationship between dance and computer technology. To some this may seem surprising, despite the fact that we live in an era increasingly consumed with developing technology. The world premiere of "The Invention of Minus One" at the Abrons Art Center was a product of his interest in using a computer to grasp the elements of movement as obtained from the human body.

The performance starts with a solo, "False Start," in which Bokaer's contortions hit the floor in such a way that they produce sporadic clanking sounds from a metal door. The second piece, "The Invention of Minus One," is much longer. At times the setting seems to be a photo shoot, a time warp, and even a game, as suggested by coin-tosses.

The number three dominates the set-up of the stage: dancers, screens, curtains, and tripods. One screen in the center of the stage, and two smaller ones on each side display different images-and, eventually, the dancers themselves-as the scene progresses. Such a configuration is a double-edged sword: we are constantly entertained, but our eyes to continuously bounce around in attempting to take everything in at once.

Isaac Mizrahi's costumes indicate the roles each of the dancers play. Banu Ogan, wearing silver pants and a beaded top, drives the plot. In contrast, Rashaun Mitchell's character wears in a masculine mock-military suit. Holley Farmer stands somewhere between the other characters, wearing stretch pants and a blazer.

When these characters interact with each other, the choreography ranges from robotic and spastic to unified and graceful. Their interactions illuminate the music that, like Bokaer's solo, lacked an easily identifiable rhythm or harmony. For this reason, we focus more on the dancers movements to possibly discern what the choreographer is telling us.

Although the performance may seem daunting, each viewer is bound to find something that resonates, whether it is the multiple dimensions of the set or something as simple as the grace of the dancers' toes.