Reflections from Architecture Through The Body: A Living Legacy
By Victoria Marchetti, HDD Summer Marketing & Development Intern
Hello, my name is Victoria Marchetti, and I am a Marketing and Development intern with Heidi Duckler Dance (HDD). This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside fellow interns Keaton, Quinn, Yasmine, Anna, and Damian, as well as the HDD staff, to bring Architecture Through The Body: A Living Legacy to life at SCI-Arc. The exhibition and closing performance celebrated 40 years of site-specific work and highlighted the dynamic relationship between dance and architecture.
Building the Exhibition
The process began with research and a deep dive into the company’s archives. We explored photos, news clippings, costumes, and videos, and had conversations with Heidi about the company’s legacy. It was exciting to dig through old hard drives and look through physical newspaper clippings. Together, we considered which performances to highlight and how best to show the relationship between architecture and movement. From iconic locations along the L.A. River to the Ambassador Hotel and beyond, the company has traveled throughout Los Angeles creating unforgettable performances in unforgettable locations.
Next, we visited the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), an architecture school in Los Angeles, and measured the gallery, imagining how to transform a blank white cube into a living, breathing history. Through collaboration, adaptability, and creativity, the vision began to take shape. The logistics involved organizing key elements for the exhibit, including a light table, a large illuminated platform that dancers had performed on in past productions, and a laundry line, which connected the exhibit to Heidi Duckler Dance’s early work. The team also made trips to the company’s storage unit to retrieve iconic costumes, posters, and images such as the iconic fish tail from After Eden
Intern Quinn hanging the ‘After Eden’ tail
Photo by Victoria Marchetti
Ordinary Spaces Section of the Gallery
Photo by Heather Seybolt
The final exhibition included video projections, audio recordings, original costumes, historic news clippings, set pieces, and interactive materials. Watching ideas evolve from sketches and brainstorming into a fully immersive gallery was incredible.
One of my favorite parts of the process was exploring the archival footage. I loved watching iconic works like Laundromatinee and Cover Story. Seeing these pieces decades later reminded me how bold, playful, and inventive Heidi has always been in choosing sites and making movement feel inevitable in those spaces. Quinn created a video montage celebrating the Laundromatinee works, capturing the humor and brilliance of dancing among washing machines. Keaton created a video montage of performances in HDD’s home base at the Bendix Building. Anna researched historical information about the different performance sites, worked with Yasmine to create interactive maps for guests to contribute to the gallery, and created sectioning for the exhibit. Damian arranged the news articles, and I helped edit a 40 years montage and a video message from the curator of the Getty Research Institute highlighting the Heidi Duckler Dance archive. Together, with the HDD staff, we built the gallery, coordinated with panelists for the Q&A, coordinated logistics and created digital and promotional materials including website listings, press releases, social media content, and newsletters. The result was a gallery that showcased the company’s legacy and celebrated the many moments in which HDD has captured public imagination.
Archival Research at the Getty
As part of our preparation, the interns visited the Getty Research Institute and interviewed Maristella Casciato, Senior Curator and Head of Architecture Special Collections. Heidi Duckler Dance has been selected to be a part of the GRI archives, and Maristella shared both her personal excitement and the significance of this moment for the arts and architecture community. She showed us around the Getty with such warmth and joy, which I truly appreciated. Maristella spoke about the collection, saying, “When I collect, and in the case of Heidi, I collect because I want to see how her work also transformed the city.” Hearing from someone so deeply rooted in architectural history made me realize just how impactful HDD’s work has been, not only in dance, but in shaping how we experience Los Angeles.
Opening Night at SCI-Arc
The exhibition opened on July 18th. Guests were welcomed warmly, with Heidi herself serving drinks behind the bar. Everyone had the chance to explore the gallery before gathering for a panel discussion moderated by Maristella Casciato. The panel brought together architects and choreographers to discuss how their disciplines influence one another.
Audience Experiences Panel Discussion & Q&A
Photo by Victoria Marchetti
Aaron Parley and Jessica Emmanuel explore the exhibition
Photo by Victoria Marchetti
I loved seeing people wander through the gallery, pausing at costumes, re-watching past performances, or reading about historic projects. There was a sense of discovery in the room, as guests learned about HDD’s history while reflecting on their own experiences of architecture and art in Los Angeles.
The Closing Performance
On July 25th, the exhibition concluded with a live performance choreographed by Artistic Director Raymond Ejiofor. The piece, Spirit and Stone, was performed by HDD dancers Colleen Loverde and Alejandro Perez, with live violin by Pauline Lay.
The work centered on a moving wall that served as a set, a partner, and a barrier. I had the privilege of watching rehearsals and enjoyed seeing Raymond experiment with how the wall could divide space, create tension, and move with the dancers. Keaton and Quinn assisted with moving the wall during the performance, creating a truly dynamic audience experience.
Raymond Ejiofor directing rehearsal, bringing the choreography to life
Photo by Victoria Marchetti
Interns Keaton and Quinn moving the wall
Photo by Victoria Marchetti
The performance began with Colleen emerging from behind the wall and Alejandro appearing from beneath a trash can. Their movements were both playful and intense, exploring how to inhabit the gallery in real time. The dancers climbed the wall, hung from it, and transformed it into a living presence. Eventually, the audience was guided outside, where Colleen and Alejandro ascended the steps of SCI-Arc, illuminated by bright lights while Pauline’s violin filled the night. The moment was breathtaking, and when the audience erupted into applause, it captured the energy of the entire summer.
Interacting with the audience was a highlight of the experience. One attendee commented, “Can’t get better. Architecture and Heidi Duckler… I enjoyed every single one of her performances. She’s amazing, creative, her dancers are amazing, so I wouldn’t miss this.” – Tinka Rogic, SCI-Arc alumna.
Colleen Loverde and Alejandro Perez performing Spirit and Stone
Photo by Victoria Marchetti
A Summer to Remember
Overall, working on A Living Legacy was a rewarding experience. I learned so much about what it takes to create an exhibition, interact with creative people, and document a performance on camera. What I will remember most is the collaboration. Every step of the way, I worked closely with fellow interns and HDD staff.
This internship position is supported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture’s Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program.
