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On it’s now six-year journey to some of the world’s most prominent churches and cathedrals, Michael Pendry’s Les Colombes was installed at the Washington National Cathedral in May 2020. The piece features more than 2000 origami paper doves appearing to soar overhead as mild breezes from people walking underneath combine with slowly changing colored lighting to gently lift the birds in flight. The audible coos, although emitted by the awed spectators, further enhance the sense of release and hope that fills the cathedral air. I am not sure how long the installation was originally planned for Washington but, as we have all been held largely within our confines, the doves too have remained in a state of suspended flight within the walls of the Cathedral’s nave throughout the pandemic. But this weekend Pendry’s doves stretched their wings and took flight, at least in music and ballet.
This weekend I was able to share in an experience of hope as the Washington National Cathedral in collaboration with the Washington Ballet presented Ballet + Doves: Unbound. The event featured a site-specific pas de deux choreographed by Tamás Krizsa to complement Les Colombes. The piece was inspired by the beauty and grace of Pendry’s doves as well as the music scored by film composer Blake Neely. Krizsa with Maki Onuki are but two doves in the flock of 2000 who, as Krizsa commented in an after-dance panel discussion, stretch their wings to find that they have become atrophied and broken after being caged for so long. After healing their wounded wings and finding balance together, Krizsa lifts Onuki high in the air and beautifully launches her into flight. The two soar in dance until, all too soon for those of us watching, they float gracefully to the floor of the nave, where they began.
As intended by the choreographer and composer, the dance delivered a message of hope that we, like the two doves, can heal our broken wings and soon take flight again. Being embraced by Neely’s soaring and swirling refrains performed live by a trio of musicians (including himself), filled me with hope. Being enthralled by two primo dancers just several yards away, moving in the same space as me and with no monitor or screen separating us−it lifted my spirit. And sharing the experience with my partner as but one couple in a (socially distanced) flock, filled me with excited optimism that together we will heal and soar again.
This weekend hope was unbound.
(Note, while photography of the ballet was prohibited, I hope my words and photos of the doves bring you a bit of the experience of Unbound. If you would to like view Les Colombes in the Cathedral’s iconic nave, you can still get tickets to See the Doves (In Person)!
