“Silence” is an outright breathtaking pillar of contemporary ballet.

Breathless. That would be an apt description of Gina Patterson's "Silence."

Music: Arvo Pärt

Lighting: Michael Stewart

Costumes: Tamara Cobus

Program Notes:

“Silence” is inspired by the music of Arvo Pärt who speaks to us through his powerfully haunting “Tabula Rasa”, and the spaciousness and serenity of “Für Alina”. The isolation and vastness of the music set the stage upon which the work unfolds. Listening to the musical repetition and meditative quality of “Silentium", my thoughts were drawn to reincarnation, repeating patterns, habits in our lives and in our minds. Are the struggles within ourselves, our relationships, and in the world, rooted in conditioning? Can we have the courage to take a leap and allow the vastness within our minds, the silence, to catch us? Can we find peace within the stillness when alone in a quiet moment, in the dark of night, or on a walk with miles ahead? Will taking that leap change patterns or will they still be there to haunt us years ahead?

Revisiting “Silence” 8 years after its premiere in 2009, I see these themes are in many ways, still layered, deeply rooted, in my current works. Using my art to sift through and navigate life, I continue to leap. Thanks to the artists of Richmond Ballet for both leaping and catching. ~ Gina Patterson

Excerpted Review from RVAMAG.COM:

CHRISTOPHER MCDANIEL | NOVEMBER 8, 2017

"My personal favorite of the night came with the second ballet, “Silence.” Originally a smaller work that premiered at New Works, choreographer Gina Patterson was commissioned by the Ballet to travel to Richmond and fully produce the work. This is how the floating pillar came to be, as well as the walking red dress performer. But, what truly captivated my interest about the choreographic layout was the highly-occupied space of dancers in a perpetual state of redress and organic redirection. With so much occurring at once, I always knew where to look. “Silence” is an outright breathtaking pillar of contemporary ballet. Also, special kudos to Fernando Sabino and Maggie Small’s performance."

Excerpted Review from Richmond Times-Dispatch

'Silence' works magic on ballet audience

Richmond Times - Dispatch - Richmond, Va.
Author: Anonymous
Date: Mar 27, 2009

Breathless. That would be an apt description of Gina Patterson's "Silence." Introduced as a work-in-progress at last spring's New Works Festival, "Silence" was then, even in its infancy, a work of raw intensity and haunting imagery. All grown up, the full-length ballet left the Richmond Ballet's opening-night audience breathless on Tuesday. Inspired by the music of Estonian composer Arvo Part, the Texas-based Patterson envisioned a world of beginnings and endings, of repetitive human patterns of life, and of the inner peace one finds at the "still point."

The two new sections of the work are filled with transitions - couples, costumes, even the setting. In the opening tableau, Fernando Sabino dangles Maggie Small from a tall, stout pedestal. (Small, a former trainee and apprentice who is now in her third year as a company member, is rapidly becoming one of the most-watched dancers.) The opening image is primitive, and the dancers' wispy blue costumes bring to mind Adam and Eve. Later, Igor Antonov slumps against the base of this same structure, and it suddenly resembles a tombstone. At other times, the dancers leap - with deceptive ease - atop the structure, which stands more than 6 feet tall.

"Silence" fully integrates costumes, set, film and lighting. Besides the pedestal, there are slats, like abstract venetian blinds, lining the upper part of the stage, and sometimes reflecting moving images of the dancers. A snowy scene among trees and a flock of birds taking flight are among the stunning visual effects. The lighting, by MK Stewart, is as much a part of the choreography as the movement, as are Tamara Cobus' costume designs. These range from white dresses and baby-doll tops to earth-toned dresses to Angela Hutto's fabulous red gown, with a dramatic train that makes her appear to be a mysterious crimson peacock gliding slowly and inexorably through the other dancers.

If Patterson intended for "Silence" to touch each viewer personally and uniquely, she has succeeded.