About the Work

In "QUEBRADA," titled after the Spanish word for broken, Xianix Barrera embarks on a tangible exploration inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with golden lacquer. The philosophy behind Kintsugi teaches us to embrace our brokenness and imperfections as part of our life’s journey. We mend the cracks and highlight them in gold instead of concealing it in a celebration of resilience, transformation, and beauty in imperfection, and finding strength in our vulnerability. QUEBRADA is a dance and musical narrative of self-discovery with each segment mirroring a phase in the Kintsugi process. Music by Ricardito Sanchez on guitar, Panagiotis Andreou on bass and Barbara Martinez on vocals. This work-in-progress performance is part of the Mare Nostrum Elements 2024 Emerging Choreographers Series (ECS). Xianix is returning alumni choreographer of the ECS program.

What Your Funds Will Support

For this project, Xianix is raising $5000 to cover crucial production costs of artist costuming, consultations from an experienced performer and director in multidimensional / experiential productions, and video editing for projections.

About the Choreographer, Xianix Barrera

Xianix Barrera is a Bessie award nominated flamenco dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in NYC. Female empowerment, sexual identity and social justice color her choreographic work and create the focal point for the company she founded in 2012; Xianix Barrera Flamenco Company. Throughout her career she has worked with revered artists such as Isabel Bayón, Raquel Heredia, Rosario Toledo, Soledad Barrio (Noche Flamenca) and Juan Ogalla on some of the most important stages in the world including The Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center, The Red Theater in Abu Dhabi and Cafe Silverio in Sevilla. Over the years Xianix has received ongoing recognition for her work; she was a scholarship recipient for the Flamenco Program at the School of Jacob's Pillow, an Artist in Residence with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, and a two-time SU-CASA community arts engagement grantee. In 2019 Xianix was nominated for a Bessie Award for Outstanding Performer for her role in "Latido" as part of the Emerging Choreographer Series produced by Mare Nostrum Elements. Xianix returns to ECS’s alumni series with her new production “Quebrada”.

Live Music Collaborators

Ricardito Sanchez - Flamenco Guitar
Barbara Martinez - Flamenco Song
Panagiotis Andreou - Bass Guitar

About Mare Nostrum Elements

Mare Nostrum Elements (MNE) is a non-profit arts organization based in Queens, NY. Each year, MNE produces the Emerging Choreographer Series (ECS), an intensive crash-course in self-producing; offering rehearsal space, compensation, career development consultations, and professional mentorship to selected choreographers.

In 2024, Mare Nostrum Elements is taking a new venture to deepen our support for the NYC dance community and uplift our Emerging Choreographer Series (ECS) alumni. ECS 2024 will support 6 alumni choreographers by pairing them with presenting venues and providing them resources to produce 30-45 minutes of work in a split bill format. Xianix was selected to be part of this pilot program in partnership with El Barrio's Artspace PS109.

Mare Nostrum Elements, Inc. is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

QUEBRADA by Xianix Barrera

By Mare Nostrum Elements, INC

QUEBRADA by Xianix Barrera

New Flamenco Work for Emerging Choreographer Series 2024