THE TABLE OF SILENCE PROJECT 9/11
The Table of Silence Project 9/11 is a public, multi-cultural call for peace, realized through a transcendent performance ritual for 150+ dancers, musicians and vocalists that celebrates community, humanity and the healing power of art. Conceived and choreographed by Jacqulyn Buglisi in response to the shattering tragedy of 9/11, the ritual is performed annually on the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center and streamed live around the world on the early morning of September 11th. The ritual honors not only those lives lost on 9/11, but over time has become an annual rite of remembrance and renewal through its evolution and its profound call to action for peace bridging boundaries with all nations.
At first light, more than 150 dancers, draped in flowing diaphanous white, emerge onto the plaza to the ancient call of the conch shell. Hidden in the pocket of the dancers’ surplice is the handmade sacred sculpture plate created by Italian visual artist Rossella Vasta, personifying and embodying the banquet table uniting humanity. Through twelve ritualistic gestures in repetition of ten, the dancers form concentric circles around the Revson Fountain to create a Peace Labyrinth. This sacred space is transformed by the transcendent energy of the living Mandala, linking dancers and viewers to the healing rituals of the natural world. The soundscape, the plaintive cries, the breath of the flute, the heartbeat of the drums connecting humanity, carries us towards a spiritual awakening at 8:46 a.m., when the dancers raise their arms skyward in a shared invocation of peace, transforming the universe from suffering to joy.
“Dance has the power to transcend all boundaries and bring cultures together through our shared humanity. One step at a time, we make change for peace as we recognize our resilience for the future of all life on our beautiful planet.”
—Jacqulyn Buglisi
JACQULYN BUGLISI
Artistic Director / Choreographer
"The Table of Silence Project represents the common threads of humanity which unite all humankind into a single force with common goals and aspirations regardless of race, culture, or religion. Through this performance ritual, we wish to achieve the dual purpose of celebrating and honoring peace, through listening, a united moment of silence—a call to action for Peace in our world."
"I have a vision to create an opportunity for the world community to commemorate the loss of life and the bravery of all those affected by the acts of terror and oppression which occurred on 9/11 and continues today. At the same time, this ritual will celebrate our determination and the strength of our belief in freedom for all humanity."
THE PERFORMANCE
The Table of Silence Project 9/11 had its first presentation on the tenth anniversary of 9/11 on the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center. Since the inaugural performance, over 1700 artists representing the broad diversity of the NYC arts community have performed, including professional and advanced dancers from premier companies and conservatories: Buglisi Dance Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Juilliard School, The Ailey School and Ailey II, Graham 2, Limón Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico, Paul Taylor Dance Company, National Dance Institute, and Steps on Broadway, among others.
Presented in partnership with Buglisi Dance Theatre and Lincoln Center as A Project of the Arnhold Dance Innovation Fund, the performance is open to the public free-of-charge, and is streamed live on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram Live. Seen by over 4.5 million viewers across all 50 states, globally in 235 countries/territories and archived here and on the Lincoln Center website for free future viewing.
The Table of Silence Project has been embraced around the world, inspiring numerous similar events, including UC, Santa Barbara’s Ilsa Vista Memorial; Syracuse University's Lockerbie Wall of Remembrance; Coalition Against Trafficking in Women; Film Presentations at the Global Summit 2012 in London and at the Museo dell’Ara Pacis, Rome; Cathedral San Rufino Square, Assisi, Italy; and an Italo-American collaboration in Perugia on the Day of Forgiveness.
Table of Silence Project 9/11 is achieved through partnerships with Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Hunter College, Dance/NYC, Steps on Broadway, among many others.
Buglisi Dance Theatre gratefully acknowledges leadership support from Jody and John Arnhold | Arnhold Foundation, and the generous support of The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Heinz Family Foundation, O'Donnell Green Music and Dance Foundation, Edward and Caroline Hyman Family Foundation, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Photo Credits: Paul B. Goode, Terri Gold, Hisae Aihara, Darial Sneed, Lisa Meloni Ragusa, Deb Fong