Jody Oberfelder's "X and O" — A Short Film about Seeking Connection On and Off the Grid, Tic-Tac-Toe Style

Jody Oberfelder's "X and O" — A Short Film about Seeking Connection On and Off the Grid, Tic-Tac-Toe Style

Published on July 27, 2020
Photo: Courtesy Jody Oberfelder and the Artists

Concept and direction: Jody Oberfelder
Editing and animation: Eric Siegel
Music: Andy Akiho
Performers: Kyla Barkin, Cara Brooke, Simon Burrill, Lyla Forest Butler, Nigel Butler, Syd Butler, Amy Carlson, Janessa Clark, Emmarose Cohen, Jane Comfort, Aditi Dhruv, Emily Giovine, Pierre Guilbault, Misuzu Hara, Marie Christine Katz, Malcolm Low, Mary Madsen, Jana Oberfelder-Riehm, Jody Oberfelder, Maya Orchin, Lonnie Poupard, Jule Jo Rameriz, Mark Sanderlin, Amanda Sommers, Hannah Wendel, Mark Willis


X and O is a human tic-tac-toe game with 26 players. This short film — conceived and directed by Jody Oberfelder, with animation and editing by Eric Siegel, and music by Andy Akiho — seeks connections on and off the grid.


A Short Q&A with Jody Oberfelder
 

The Dance Enthusiast: How are you and your near and dear ones doing? 

Jody Oberfelder: We are all thankfully okay.  Mentally staying afloat.

What practices have helped you keep sane during this time of pandemic, social distancing, and unrest? 

JO: Staying connected, reading, cooking, deep conversations, yoga, ballet with Janet Panetta, Qi Gong, Feldenkreis with Rebecca Davis, nature.  Protesting, reflecting, realizing that notions of progress and ambition are changing. Making art you believe in keeps me sane.

What are you most grateful for at this time? 

JO: My body

What do you dream for the dance of the future?

JO: To be together again.

What thoughts would you most like to share with The Dance Enthusiast audience?  

JO: I am tired of catch phrases for this time. It is so much more and history will play out.


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