Duke Dang, GM of Works & Process at the Guggenheim

A conversation with Duke Dang—he’s the general manager of Works & Process the performing arts series at the Guggenheim Museum. Since 1984, Works & Process has been bringing audiences into the creative process of performing artists. Serving as a laboratory of sorts for artists to test their ideas, Works & Process has produced approximately 60 performances annually.  Each performance would begin with an excerpt of  a work in process, followed by a discussion with the artist. But this past year, because of the pandemic, Works & Process itself faced a shuttered theater. But the program made a remarkably quick pivot: it found a path for artists to safely gather, create and perform together again by establishing covid-free bubble residencies for artists in the Hudson Valley.  Over fifty artists have entered eight Works & Process bubble residencies following strict safety protocols, and Works & Process captured this journey in a four-part docuseries Isolation to Creation. Isolation to Creation gives audiences a rare opportunity to go into the bubbles and behind the scenes to witness the exhilaration faced by performers returning to the studio, to the stage and to each other. It’s also a chance to hear some great music and see some extraordinary dancing. I speak with Duke Dang about Works & Process and its recalibration in the face of the pandemic. Duke and I also talk about the struggles performing artists are experiencing creatively, emotionally and financially.

(Isolation to Creationis streaming for free at [allarts.org](allarts.org), and is also airing in the New York metro area on the All Arts TV channel)