There are many stories about people being saved by doctors, paramedics and even fellow citizens, but for one photographer, it was dance that saved her life.
Stephanie Rodriguez, 20-year-old photography major, will tell her story through photographs, video and dance at the “INK-Opening Reception” for her photo series at Moorpark College’s Pink Flamingo Art Gallery on April 21 at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building Room 129.
Rodriguez’s reception will showcase photographs of dancers with ink stains on their hands and bodies along with a video about how depression can affect one person’s mind. A dance piece choreographed by Rodriguez herself will also show how dance can express someone’s emotion and pain through body language.
“I wanted to combine depression and dance together to make it something more meaningful,” said Rodriguez. “I wanted to add ink to the piece so I painted my dancers with the ink over their bodies; the ink representing the negativity that can affect someones mind and soul.”
Rodriguez said the gallery and dance piece are very special to her because they are based on her personal story. Throughout her childhood, she was bullied and suffered depression which had a big effect on her.
“I would keep everything to myself and not say a word about that I needed help, I was to stubborn to even get help because I felt embarrassed because I thought people would judge me and would treat me differently,” said Rodriguez. “I almost ended up ending my life at some point, but something made me change my mind: dance. You can say dance saved my life.”
“INK,” which is also the name of the dance piece about depression to be featured in the video, was choreographed by Rodriguez in high school, and it allowed her parents to understand the message she was trying to get across.
“It was a powerful piece that everyone felt the emotions I put in it to my piece,” said Rodriguez. “I found a way to speak my emotions through body movement.”
While this is Rodriguez’s second gallery, she says it is her first work to show something personal about her life to friends. Now getting help and in good health, Rodriguez is excited to see many of her friends, family and fellow classmates attending the gallery to view her work.
“I can’t believe it myself,” said Rodriguez. “Before I was always afraid to show my work to people and show my emotions through my pieces, but as an artist, that’s what we do. I want to put myself out there and be more confident about my work.”
Rodriguez feels that this gallery will allow her to reach out to people suffering with depression through her photos, video and dance piece.
“It’s not just only about me, but I based this project for people out there that are going through depression and that it’s not to late to get help,” Rodriguez said. “I would say, ‘If you can’t speak it, dance to it.’ I hope that this work of art I’ll be presenting will attract the viewers’ eyes.”
The gallery will open April 14 through 28 from Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
