Deep Woods

Spending more time outdoors inspired local musician and artist Chris Toliver to create “Deep Woods,” a performance art piece featuring original electronic music, theater, dance and projected art.
“Deep Woods” will run at 9 p.m. Friday and will be the first attempt at performance art at Foam City, a new arts venue that offers studio space for local artists and musicians.
For years, Toliver has crafted ambient, beat-driven music, but “Deep Woods” gives his sound a visual element. The artist recruited four dancers from Purdue University’s Dance Division. Alyssa Beatty, Allyson Mercer, Andrea Larsen and Emma Mock are adept at improvisation and choreography.
Used to the high-tech staging and studios at Purdue, Mock and company are dancing in a small warehouse setting on old carpet. It’s raw, but the dancers are inspired.
“It’s so different,” Mock said. “We’re like some of the pioneers.”
The dancers, and Toliver, don costumes designed by the artist. The set featuring large trees was constructed by Toliver and Mike Booth.
About an hour long, “Deep Woods” also features the talents of fellow electronic musician Aaron Zernack and DJ Ghost. Zernack and Purdue artist Esteban Garcia will provide digital art to go along with the music.
The ambitious project could put Foam City on the map for other performance-based art.
“I hope it inspires people to do more with their shows,” Toliver said.
By Tim Brouk for the J&C