video designer , "See Level" David Dorfman Dance Company

 

The Kitchen, New York, NY - world premiere, February 26 - March 1, 2003

Dance Magazine: "Samuael Topiary's striking video design of lapis lazuli seas and textural close-ups
                            human skin created a rich visual environment..."

 

Eugene & Elinor Friend Center for the Arts, Jewish Community Center
San Francisco, CA - December 10, 2005

Allan Ulrich's review :

  "...Samuael Topiary's impressive visual design"

Rita Felciano's review:

"...Samuael Topiary’s excellent video design. At first it consisted of shimmering blue squares on that awkward looking frontispiece of plastic. In addition to projecting mirror images of continents rubbing against each, Topiary created a series of ocean derived videos, sometimes literal sea shores with lapping waves but also dark sea walls full of mysterious movement, and a sense of underwater life. Every once in a while the dancers were magnetically drawn to these ominous water images, only to go back to their games of attraction and repulsion. Chris Peck’s excellent score of scratchy sounds and revving motors had a similarly threatening ebb and flow to it. Beautifully danced by this quartet of highly individualistic yet excellently coalescing performers, “See Level” owes much of its effectiveness to its collaborating artists."