Aaron M. Wood

Teacher Advocator Artist

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

Living in a day and age where television, internet and 'Nintendo Wii' seem to be the mainstream forms of entertainment, it is a rarity that we give ourselves the opportunity to indulge and experience the many facets of art. Art allows us a lens through which we can express, explore and develop our truths.

As an artist my central focus has been on how modern dance can be utilized as a medium for gay awareness. My works deal with themes of gender identification, objectification of the body, sexual orientation and self-identity. I believe that art allows humans to connect with one another by seeing themselves in each other and from that perhaps consciously acknowledge and appreciate the differences and/or similarities they share. I want to focus on these themes not only at the current time, but for a long time to come.

I feel very fortunate to have modern dance as my medium of expression. I am a believer in human rights and equality for all. I feel it is my obligation as an art maker to give voice where voice has been muted. Dance and gay advocacy are my passions and work simultaneously with one another; one can't help but to feed the other. As artists we are never off-dutyand I strive to, as Ghandi once said "be the change you wish to see in the world." The way I practice in the studio is the way I practice my life.