‘Now You See It’

Inspired by the abstract minimalism of Southern California visual artist Tony DeLap, Peter Pucci’s postmodern ballet “Now You See It” is a fast-paced ensemble work with a bold sculptural aesthetic.

Pucci juxtaposes circular floor patterns with diagonals created by dancers’ angled arms, and punctuates a series of swift turns with moments of stillness. The dancers shift formations like brightly colored shards in a kaleidoscope, offering fresh perspectives with every twist of their bodies, carving shapes out of space in a dramatic interplay of colors.

The effect is illusory--a trademark of DeLap, who is fascinated with magic--and is achieved through unusual costumes based on renderings by the artist. As the work progresses, pieces of the dancers’ black unitards--a sleeve, a pant leg, a tunic front--gradually are peeled away, revealing colors underneath.

“The costumes are based on Tony’s idea of disembodied pieces, of color appearing out of a black background,” said Pucci, taking a brief break during a recent rehearsal at Ballet Pacifica’s Irvine studio. “It’s a play on the eye, that what you think you are seeing is not always what you see.”

Pucci said he thinks of the piece as “a moving painting that gradually reveals itself.”

“The piece is an evolution of conversations I’ve had with Tony, my impressions of his work and my own interest in modern art. All that is filtered into the idea of the dance, which is taking on a life of its own the deeper I go into the creative process.”

Ballet Pacifica Artistic Director Molly Lynch commissioned Pucci in collaboration with DeLap to create “Now You See It” as a part of the Eclectic Orange Festival 2000. Set to Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 5, the piece will receive its world premiere Friday when Ballet Pacifica opens its 2000-01 Dance Concert Series at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

The company will also present two in-gallery performances at the Orange County Museum of Art in conjunction with “The Art of Tony DeLap,” a retrospective exhibit.

Usually, costumes and lighting decisions are made after a dance work is already in progress, but for Pucci, those key elements became clear early on. He flew out from New York to meet with DeLap in April.

“I started out with a very clear vision of what it would look like visually. In fact, the piece was built with the costumes in mind,” Pucci said.

“I like the aesthetic of the modern form, of color abutted against color. It’s a different way of seeing. Abstract works hit people in different ways: Some respond visually, some emotionally.

“I can try and replicate that on stage, by integrating visual concepts of movement, form and color, but it’s really an instinctual response to the movement. It’s a visceral experience.”

The more Pucci choreographs, the less preparation he needs to do beforehand, he said.

“I feel confident when I go into the studio that I have the idea in my head. That way, it’s more fun for the dancers, and I find it easier to work with them in front of me. Some things work out, some things you throw out--that’s the beauty and anxiety of making it up on the spot. You’re a filter for what’s happening in front of you.”

A respected choreographer who has worked with numerous dance companies including the Joffrey Ballet and Pilobolus Dance Theatre, Pucci also created “Myth” for Ballet Pacifica during the 1998 Choreographic Workshop.

“Now You See It” is one of two world premieres scheduled for the Barclay concert. Paul Vasterling’s “ballet:tango,” which was created during this summer’s Choreographic Workshop, sets a passionate power play between four men and one woman to music by Astor Piazolla. Also on the program: Lynne Taylor Corbett’s “Triptych,” and “Variations Serieuses” by Choo-San Goh.

Pucci’s collaboration with DeLap is his second commissioned work for the company, and he says his return was prompted by the creative opportunity and the nurturing environment fostered in Ballet Pacifica’s studio.

“What Molly’s doing here is very unique--she’s presenting eight to 10 new works to the community every year, where ABT [American Ballet Theatre] may only do one or two now. Her constant commitment to presenting new works is what we as choreographers look for.”

SHOW TIMES

Ballet Pacifica, the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. (949) 854-4646