Choreography vehicle for storytelling in ‘Jibaro’
Emmy-winning episode of Netflix series turns animation into study of movement
As a woman adorned in golden coins and glimmering jewelry shrieks from the middle of a lake, knights collapse and turn against each other — all except Jibaro, who, as a deaf person, is unaffected by the destructive cries.
The woman slips in and out of the water in a seductive tango choreographed by Sara Silkin.
For Silkin, the “Jibaro” episode of “Love, Death & Robots” is more than just an animation — it’s a study of movement. The episode — which won for shortform animated program and individual achievement in animation at the recent 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards — relies on movement to tell the story of love and betrayal between the siren and the knight.
“Jibaro” provided her a platform to show how vital and detailed dance can be in film and TV through its marriage with the show’s innovative animation.
“It’s important to show that dance tells the story and doesn’t only have to be in a musical number,” she says, explaining that dance can uphold an episodic narrative on its own when given the chance.
Silkin is a multidisciplinary artist based in
Los Angeles whose work focuses on the “mind-body connection,” examining how the body can unconsciously communicate the state of mind.
Before the script of “Jibaro” was written, director Alberto Mielgo approached Silkin to choreograph the episode in February 2020. She immediately saw Mielgo’s vision, picturing the Golden Woman moving like water, and Jibaro departing from the hypermasculine expectations of how knights move in the world by choreographing his character’s balletic motions.
They prepared to start filming in April 2020, but COVID-19 halted their plans. The team didn’t get to film until that December, giving Silkin time to explore movement and Mielgo time to go deeper in detail on the script.
Silkin compared her choreography for the show to lines in a script, explaining that while actors deliver lines with an intention, her movement embodied the intentions of the characters instead of speaking to them.
“What’s great about working with somebody who’s as detailed as Alberto is that you know what each shot is going to be, and there’s a strict time restriction in ‘Love, Death & Robots,’ ” Silkin says. “Even if I had wanted to make a more elaborate moment or dance, that was impossible because then it would take away from the rest of the progression.”
Mielgo and Silkin brought on Megan Goldstein to portray the Golden Woman after Mielgo saw her in Silkin’s videos on social media. Goldstein worked with Silkin to develop small details in the performance that upheld the specificity Mielgo sought. Whether it be a seductive lick of a sword or the caressing of the Golden Woman’s face, no moment was wasted in showing the tension in the story.
Goldstein says it challenged her as a dancer to show emotion on a micro level. “Sara directed me a lot in my facial expressions and how I can gesture to the camera differently,” Goldstein says.
After using performance capture to film the dances, the animation team rotoscoped the footage to turn it into the final product that was exactly what the dancers performed. It surprised Silkin to see how close the animation was to the actors’ movements.
“I had thought perhaps they were wanting to change things a bit more,” Silkin says. “I realized, no, they really did painstakingly trace over the body to be able to do that.”
“The directors and the producers and everyone working on the project really respected dance and movement,” Goldstein says. “They never asked me to do anything less, or they never cut out any of the dance that Sara and I choreographed.”
Goldstein says it’s “not often” that a project will be centered on movement in the way “Jibaro” is. Silkin felt she had “a lot of liberty” with movement on the project, stitching together Mielgo’s storyboards and animatics with dance.
“I was very pleased to see that all of the dance remained that was choreographed,” Silkin says. “And that’s a beautiful, beautiful thing as a choreographer to not see your work pillaged or cut down.”
In fact, Silkin and Mielgo often communicated their ideas through movement, portraying the dance they saw in their minds with their bodies behind the camera.
“I think there was a lot of stress for and respect for what we bring by the director or Sara,” says Raymond Ejiofor, one of the dancers portraying Jibaro. “I think there was this space for us to be ourselves and bring our own artistry and experiences — a safe space to play.”
Silkin says she connected with the Golden Woman because of her transformation throughout “Jibaro.” The Golden Woman begins by wielding great strength, creating destruction across the river, but that strength is quickly ripped from her.
“I connected very much to the moment of her being such a beautiful woman, such a powerful woman, to all of a sudden being decimated and stripped of her beauty, thinking that this person was the only person who would ever love her,” she says.
Silkin says that while it’s typical to see the male character wield destruction and hold power, “instead, the Golden Woman transforms her emotions into a more violent masculine trope, sharing her emotions in an authentic manner — showcasing her heartbreak with a primal scream and gut-wrenching dance that ultimately destroys the man who betrays her.”
“Jibaro” took the combined effort of the director, animators and dance artists to share the heartbreaking story. Silkin says the show is a feat for dance and animation as Mielgo challenged the “aesthetics of what animation can be,” all while putting the dance artists front and center.
“Dancers tend to get overlooked a lot,” Goldstein says. “Without dancers and without choreographers, a lot of entertainment we see wouldn’t be as exciting as it is with all the extra work that goes in.”
By making dance the driving force of “Jibaro,” Silkin says it proved that dance can be a powerful narrative tool that can evoke a character’s arc. The episode couldn’t have been the Emmy-winning animation it is without Silkin’s movement and the collaboration between dance artists and animators.
“The story in and of itself couldn’t be told without the physical theater,” Ejiofor says. “The choreography being the vehicle of the storytelling is magical and powerful.”
From Marbles to MakeBelieve: Let’s Play!:
400 pieces from the HBMS collections and local collectors exploring toys and games over the last century. At the Kemerer Museum of Decorative
Arts a Trendy Toys section highlights the most iconic playthings of the 1900s; Perilous Playtime” explores the dark side of play with a display of dangerous toys including the Austin Magic Pistol, a 1940’s toy that, due to a defect, shot flaming ping pong balls at its target. The Moravian Museum features “Play Back When,” explores the Early Moravians in Bethlehem and their views towards play and recreation through a collection of Poly Heckew3elder dolls, dice games, and wooden toys. Reception, 6-8 p.m. Oct.
13. Opens Oct. 8. Through Jan. 29. Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, 427 N. New St., Bethlehem. historicbethlehem.org.
A Class Act, Works by Mentor and Mentee: Renzo Faggioli and Lisa Fraenkel: Artist reception, Oct. 12. Opens Oct. 3. Through Nov. 12. Baum School of Art, 510 W. Linden St., Allentown. 610-433-0032. baumschool. org.
ONGOING
AMERICA ON WHEELS, 5 N. Front St., Allentown. 610-432-4200. Making Life an Adventure: Outdoors is Always More Fun!: Exhibit showcases having fun outdoors featuring 1959
H&H Fiberglass Boat & Gator Trailer. Also, 1964 Studebaker, 1969 Buick Wagon, 1970 VW Westfalia Van, 1953 Mercury, 1972 Scotty camper, 1963 Greenbrier Van, 1055 Hudson, 1961 Corvette, Fin Boat, more. Through Oct. 31. americaonwheels.org.
ARTSQUEST CENTER, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Purple Series: Bart Cooper’s limited-edition portrait prints of David Bowie, Beyonce, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and more along with the original Musikfest poster painting. Through Dec. 11. artsquest.org.
BANANA FACTORY, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem. 610332-1300. Intervals:
Desert Imprints: Through imprints of desert life, brief flashes of light, shadow, the wind, sun and moon Miguelina Seijo invites the viewer to meditate deeply about time and share a portion of the eternal moment. Through Oct. 23. bananafactory.org.
BERKS HISTORY CENTER, 940 Centre Ave., Reading. 610-375-4375. A Snapshot in Time:
The Photography Collection of Dr. William A. Haman: Showcase of Haman’s unique glass plate negatives and glass lantern slides, each developed into a crystal-clear image that offers a glimpse into the daily lives of diverse people in Berks County and beyond during the late 1800s. berkshistory.org.
BETHLEHEM TOWN HALL ROTUNDA GALLERY, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem. The 5 x 5 Show: Five artists in five media. Richard Begbie (photography); James A. DePietro (painting); Barbara Kozero (mosaic, sculpture); Jacqueline Meyerson (pastel); and Pat Delluva (drawing/printmaking). Artist reception, 2-4 p.m. Oct. 2. Through Nov. 4.
CLAY ON MAIN GALLERY, 313 Main St., Oley. 610987-0273. Bold Textures, Embracing Color: Bob Hakun’s assemblages’ compliment to Rhonda Counts paintings, where color and texture collide. Through Oct. 23. clayonmain.org.
FOREST HALL, Broad and Harford Streets, Milford. Andy in Nature: Christopher Makos’ photographs centered on an unexplored, yet rich dimension of Andy Warhol’s life, his relationship with natural world exhibited alongside Paul Solberg’s well-known flower works. Through Oct. 23.
GALLERY840, 840 Hamilton St., Allentown. Branches: Through Oct. 29. gallery840.net.
GOGGLEWORKS, 201 Washington St., Reading. 610-374-4600. Put On: Imagination, Migration, and Identity: Mexican-born, New York City-based artist, Maria De Los Angeles focuses on issues of migration, displacement, identity and otherness through work in drawing, painting, installation, performance, fashion, and sculpture. Through Oct. 14. goggleworks.org.
JAMES A. MICHENER ART MUSEUM, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown. 215-3409800. (re)Frame: Community Perspectives on the Michener Art Collection: A three-step, year-long project designed to re-interpret the Michener’s permanent collection with input from the wider regional community, including activists, Native American storytellers, external historians, social workers, environmentalists, as well as general visitors to
museum, with a view to a major re-installation of the permanent collection galleries in 2023. Through March 5. Walk This Way: Footwear from the Stuart Weitzman Collection of Historic Shoes: Presenting over 100 pairs of shoes from the extensive private collection of iconic designer, Stuart Weitzman, and businesswoman Jane Gershon Weitzman. Through Jan. 15. michenerartmuseum. org.
JEFFREY GROVE, 184 Main St., Emmaus. 610-9674600. Betty Allender: Through Nov. 30.
KETTLE CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 570-629-3061. Amalgrams of Nature: Terry Kloiber carves and burns gourds, creates jewelry, paints and works in various fiber arts. Through Oct. 31. mcconservation.org.
LAURA’S CUSTOM FRAMING AND FINE ART, 1328 Chestnut St., Emmaus. 610-928-8622. Strands of Life: Abstract art by James Chesnick. Through Oct. 15.
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
ART GALLERIES, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem. Starstruck: An American Tale: Shimon Attie, Lehigh University’s Horger Artist-in-Residence, exhibition interrogates Bethlehem’s past and present as a microcosm of America - it echoes the hopes, histories and values of many North American cities, particularly those in the Rust Belt. Through Dec. 3. luag.lehigh.edu.
LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS, 321 E. Third St., Bethlehem. Gathering Elements: Katharine Krieg and Brad Hendershot works include landscape, still life and more in a variety of mediums. Reception 6-8 p.m. Oct. 7. Through Oct. 14.
LOWER MACUNGIE LIBRARY, 3450 Brookside Road, Macungie. 610966-6864. Jeanne Stock: Through Oct. 31.
MARILYN FOX STUDIO, 447 Normal Ave., Kutztown. 610-698-2519. Open Studio Sale: Unique gifts for holiday shopping. Guest artist Beverly Leviner (October); JoAnn Welsh Morrell, Dolores Kirschner, Steve Bastian, Michele Neifert (November-December). marilynfoxart.com.
MARLIN AND REGINA MILLER GALLERY, 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown. 610-683-1575. Spectrum Sinfonia: The Art of Dan Welden: New York based master printmaker Dan Welden paintings and prints made during 2020-21 display a knowledge of color and composition that challenges the best of his well-known contemporaries. Through Oct. 16. kutztown.edu.
MERCER MUSEUM, 84 S. Pine St., Doylestown. 215-345-0210. Everyday Rhythms: Music at the Mercer: Explores some common uses of music and musical instruments, shared across many regions, people and cultures. Through Dec. 31. mercermuseum.org.
MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 214 E. Center St., Nazareth. 610-759-5070. Charting the Unknown:
Early Moravian Maps: Exhibition explores surveying techniques, the conflicts between indigenous communities and Europeans, and the Moravian contributions to surveying, early cartography, and town planning through archival documents, historic maps, and objects from the collection of the Moravian Historical Society. Through Dec. 29. moravianhistory.org.
MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY PAYNE GALLERY, 346 Main St., Bethlehem. The Covid Diary 2020-2022: Beginning in 2020 and following quarantine protocol, Stephen Posen sequestered himself in his rural barn studio and developed a daily practice of drawing and painting on sheets of 30x 22 watercolor paper. With charcoal, gouache and acrylic, Posen created a body of over 600 works, from this body of work, a selection of 85 works on paper will be exhibited. Through Oct. 16. moravian. edu.
MUSEUM OF INDIAN CULTURE, 2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown. 610-7972121. Women Warriors: Resilience, Leadership, Activism: Exhibit in honor of Native American women and their significant triumphs they gained for Indian Country, America, and the world both throughout the course of history and in the present day. Through Nov. 27. museumofindianculture.org.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY, 602 E. Second St., Bethlehem. 610-694-6644. The Works of a Mechanical Genius:
The Legacy of John Fritz: Explore the early decades of the Bethlehem Iron Company and examine Fritz’s impact on work, technology, defense, and the rapid cultural changes experienced during the 20th Century. Through Oct. 15. nmih.org.
NEW ARTS GALLERY, 173 W. Main St., Kutztown. 610-683-6440. Visual Poems:
Dickinson and Blaga: Printmakers form Romania each responding to poetry of American poet Emily Dickinson, Stefan Balog, Alexandru Radulescu, Jr., Alexandru Radulescu, Sr. and Anca Sas. Through Dec. 18. newartsprogram.org.
NURTURE NATURE CENTER, 518 Northampton St., Easton. 610-253-4432. Connecting to Nature in Northampton County: Photo exhibit by Sherry Acevedo features nature in Northampton County parks and open spaces. Through Nov. 2.
Tribute: The Life and Work of Earl C. Stocker: A look into a lifelong series of sketches, drawings and paintings of the kind-hearted man known to many as “Mr. Easton.” Through Oct. 28. nurturenaturecenter.org.
PENNYPACKER MILLS, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville. 610-2879349. Stereographing America: A 3D History of Stereocards: Discover the evolution of 3-D devices from the original Wheatstone stereoscope, the Brewster stereoscopic design, and popular Holmes hand-held model. Through Jan. 31. montcopa.org.
READING PUBLIC MUSEUM, 500 Museum Road, Reading. 610-371-5850. Da Vinci:
The Exhibition: Hands-on examination of Leonardo da Vinci’s life, research, and art featuring more than 65 fully built, lifesize inventions, more than 20 fine art studies, and dozens of displays. Through Jan. 8. readingpublicmuseum.org.
RONALD K. DE LONG GALLERY, PENN STATE LEHIGH VALLEY, 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley. 610-285-5261. Fluidity of Gender: Sculpture, collage, prints and video created by Linda Stein, who through her art strives to broaden awareness and inspire empathy by presenting gender multiplicities and diversities in her art. Through Dec. 3. lehighvalley. psu.edu.
SIGAL MUSEUM, 342 Northampton St., Easton. 610-253-1222. Easton Nights: Photographer Peter Ydeen features over 70 photographs of the surreal and romantic world of Easton’s small hours. Through May 28. sigalmuseum.org.
STONY RUN WINERY, 150 Independent Road, Breinigsville. Parkland Art League All-Member Show:
Through Oct. 5.
STUDIO B FINE ART GALLERY, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown. Yenna Hill:
One-woman show, featuring the work of the emerging, self-taught artist known for work that she calls “pop-infused ancestral hieroglyphs. Through Oct. 23. studiobbb.org.
THE 2ND FLOOR ART GALLERY, 8826 Easton Road, Revere. 215-287-5047. Fall and Winter Show:
Greg Clemens, Howard Ellsworth, Carol Esch,
Donna Lillo, George McHugh, Susan Joy Rosetty, Cindy Ruenes, Nancy Wexler Taylor, Kenoka Wagner, Carl Wagner. Through Feb. 28.
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. 215-299-1000. Ocean Bound:
Hands-on activities, games and videos that reveal the moving world of water. Through Jan. 15. ansp.org.
THE GALLERY AT ST. JOHN’S, 330 Ferry St., Easton. 610-258-6119. The Great Great Great Plaid Revival:
Renewal of the annual show featuring plaid-themed works. Through Oct. 23.
WILLIAMS CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 317 Hamilton St, Easton. 610-330-5009. Surfacing:
Artist and educator Hee Sook Kim uses artmaking to help sort, consider, and reframe the social condition of the last few years that’s been mired in illness, isolation, politics, and reckoning with racial injustice. Through Nov. 18. galleries.lafayette.edu.