Brooklyn Arts Council

Connecting his understanding of ballet with his experience in contemporary dance, Heggem bridges an experimental and visionary approach to classical technique, improvisation and partnering. His intuitive practice is contextualized by research on visionary art, Theology, Buddhism and meditation practices.

In an exploration of energy transmission through the practice of live-art, he seeks to manifest opportunities for the audience to be present with their experience. Rooted in a humanistic value system of love, compassion, selflessness and a non-dualistic understanding of beauty, his objective is to create work that expands the understanding of human potency. In developing techniques for direct transmission of expanded states of consciousness (see Kinesthesia*), Heggem values that which is ultimately transformative and healing; he envisions performance as an opportunity for the collective transformation of all beings towards enlightenment.

His fascination with visionary art stems from a constant spiritual questing. Heggem has come to understand visionary art as the greatest methodology an artist can employ in a world needing aid. Visionary art practices can be learned if we are open to receive information from our higher selves and are willing to challenge our current methods when we hear a voice of greatness speaking through us. His research on humanity has condensed to an appreciation of the world�s religions - for religion and art are of the same essence: each is a creative form reflecting on the vastness of humanity whilst grappling sincerely with the reality of the unknown.

In the context of theological studies, this is not an attempt to place existence into monotheistic faith, but rather to understand the Oneness of all things on earth despite the varied and sometimes conflicting forms that are assumed. In Heggem�s own theological investigation, he�s discovered that there is a healthy and beautiful expression in all traditions; and, the whole of this experience can be articulated through practices of art making.

Meditation practices on expanding consciousness provide the internal infrastructure for the outer form of a body practice that seeks a holistic understanding of experience. Meditation is capable of creating this infrastructure because it is a practice about expanding our awareness to encompass our higher selves and the subtle and great energies of others.

Heggem believes that improvisation and partnering are the greatest ways of demonstrating human capacity. A deep and open understanding of improvisation allows for spontaneity, providing a chance to challenge habitual behaviors and experience the novelty of being present and fully engaged with the act of creation. Partnering demonstrates the ability to communicate with another soul through the sensitive body without an attachment and dependency on human language. We are social beings and our fullest communicative potential can be reached by a deep understanding of non-verbal, sensory information.

In short, Heggem�s work embarks to understand and transmit the one true value that bonds all of humanity: the capacity to know love.

Mathew Patrick Heggem