Testimonials

“as a dancer and transdisciplinary artist rooted in black feminist afrofuturism, i am committed to transitioning from extractive models of performance and voyeurism towards a relational aesthetic that permits folks formally gathered as “audience” and “observer” towards a deeper, consensual participation in ceremony. i believe that collapsing that divide between performer and audience and entering into the realm of ceremony as method allows us to reach further into realizing our collective healing and liberation. 

in my recent performance, “meanwhile, the mud still mothers”, i sought out a collaborator that could help hold that form, inquiry, and practice alongside me and not only radically shift the audience’s connection with me but disrupt my own relationship to how i perceive myself as a performer. Ariella’s rigorous and dignified practice towards beauty, ceremony, holding space, designing ritual wardrobe, seeding core questions, facilitating connection to benevolent spirits, and preparing me to enter my work carefully and intentionally as an artist from a new (and actually ancient practice) of ceremony, permitted me to enter my work guided by something much bigger than myself and the performance.

because of the way she held space for the work, i know all involved, both in the flesh and in spirit, were moved and met by healing on a quantum level. i do not take her practice as a ceremonial artist and producer lightly.  she fully invests her spirit, her prayer, presence, devotion and insight into collaboration/co-liberation and is someone i highly suggest for production, ritual wardrobe, spatial design, aesthetic consultation, and ceremonial support. Ariella recuperates “aesthetic” back towards it’s original intention - to revive the senses! ”

— brontë velez