Karina Wilson & Patrick Li

S P A C E Rising is a new iteration of our residency program, designed specifically to support our (R)evolution Mentorship Mentees. Meet our first duo – Karina and Patrick! And make sure to join us for S P A C E Rising Showcase on September 27 & 28 at 7pm.

DISCO RIOT: What has been your favorite part of the process?

Karina Wilson: Truly, collaborating with other artists is so fulfilling. It’s freeing to have so much fun creating that the outcome becomes less important because the process itself is so rewarding. Patrick and I have worked with Lauren Lee and Julianna Lawscha throughout the entire rehearsal process, and it has been such a blessing to play, dance, and share space with them.

DISCO RIOT: How has your approach to dance creation changed or been different during your residency?

Karina Wilson: Patrick and I approached the piece by starting with developing movement before concept. It was an exercise in creation without judgement. I’ve always let the music inform the dance, so it was informative to work in reverse. 

DISCO RIOT: What inspirations, launching points, or ideas are you working with for your piece for the S P A C E residency? How has that developed over the course of your residency process?

Patrick Li: Our piece draws inspiration from the character “光,” which means “lights.” Throughout our residency, each fragment of our piece has evolved to reflect different facets of “光.” These fragments represent how light can manifest—both literally and metaphorically—and have served as an anchor point for Karina and me as we developed the work.

DISCO RIOT: Other than dance, what mediums are important to the overall theme of your piece? This could be music, projection, spoken word, visual etc. What role will these aspects play?

Patrick Li: Outside of movement exploration, our piece is rooted in an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating projection art, zine-making, and dance film. These mediums are not merely supplementary but are integral to guiding the audience through the narrative. We are fortunate to collaborate with graphic designer Melissa Phan and video artist Maxfield, whose contributions will enhance the immersive quality of the performance.