"The space between (us)" is an interdisciplinary performance work inspired by the physical, social, and emotional barriers created by the architecture of public spaces.

Inspired by shopping mall seating areas and modern architecture, large-scale sculptures fill the gallery. When filled with dancers, the sculptures become enlivened spaces, illustrating conditioned behaviors of public spaces and separating bodies in motion. Beneath the surface, however, lives the possibility for creativity, freedom, self-expression, and intimate human connection.

Choreography: Nicole A. Martinell
Sculptures: Lisa Dillin

Featured dancers are Deep Vision members Deontay Gray, Samantha Hopkins, Melissa Lloyd, Sofie Massa, Rachel Moore, Sarah Smith, and Ann Zickefoose.

Additional collaborators include an original score by PJ Dorsey (Tarotplane) and Erik Spangler (DJ Dubble8), and costumes by Kendra Shapanus with video production support by Erik Dillinger and 3D fabrication support by Chip Banister, Wilder Childs, and Pete Karis.

Photo: Jonathan Hsu @JHsumedia
Video: SlingshotVideo

Premiere: VisArts, Rockville, MD
Reprise: Le Mondo, Baltimore, MD

Full of new collaborations and traveling adventures, Martinell created (and co-created) 3 new works, premiering in Tulsa, Oklahoma, New York City, New York, and her beloved Baltimore, MD. Almost all works premiering in 2018 and 2019 were duets!

Tender Root
Created and performed by Nicole A. Martinell (Deep Vision Dance Company) and Malcolm Shute (Human Landscape Dance), Tender Root is a duet exploring the transformative cycle of organic matter. Images of blooming, leaves unfurling, and vines weaving emerge as two, connected bodies seamlessly morph and create new forms. Undertones of human intimacy and interconnectivity thread through the work. Premiere: June 2018; Length: 9:40 minutes; Collaborators: Malcolm Shute (co-choreographer/music), Dancers: Nicole A. Martinell & Malcolm Shute; Special feature: ECOPOETIC, Washington Square Park, NY (2018). Additional performances: Inertia, Towson, MD (2018); Baltimore Theatre Project, MD (2019).

Cadence, of lack thereof
Cadence, or lack thereof is a witty duet illuminating the awkward do-si-do of social interactions. As the individuals attempt to connect their inner rhythms with each other’s habitual grooves, their playful banter of nonsensical dialogue and disjointed movements unfolds. In the subtext, the work teasingly portrays dancers in the creative process. Premiere: July 2018; Length: 9:00 minutes; Collaborators/Dancers: Samantha Hopkins, Jeanna Riscigno; Special Feature: Exchange Choreography Festival, Tulsa, OK (2018). Additional performances: Walters Museaum of Art, Baltimore, MD and Baltimore Theatre Project, MD (2019).

The Somethings in My Mind
The Somethings in My Mind reveals the tempting cycle of becoming consumed by our habitual, mental constructs. Our thoughts carry layers of emotional baggage and have the power to shift our view of reality and dissipate the conscious self. Through the image of a lingering rolling body at one’s feet, The Somethings in My Mind explores the strange, yet enchanting, burden of one’s thoughts. Original score by Griff Beheler and videography by Lindsay D'Andelet accompanies the work. Premiere: March 2019; Length: 13:00 minutes; Collaborators/Dancers: Samantha Hopkins, Nicole Martinell. Special Feature: Baltimore Theatre Project, MD (2019).

Matter, Energy, Human delves into the intersections between quantum physics, metaphysical theory, and the human experience. Each section uncovers the visual beauty of unfolding physical phenomena while illuminating the complex, yet delicate, human condition – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and as a universal whole. Deepak Chopra’s writings in Everyday Immortality: A Concise Course in Spiritual Transformation impact the connective fabric of the work. Audiences witness two storylines – (1) energy and matter and (2) the seemingly concrete human experience – that parallel, impact, weave, crescendo, and converge. Collaborator Timothy Nohe composes the evolving, oscillating sound score.

World Premiere: April 2016; Length: 42 minutes; Dancers: Deep Vision Dance Company
World Premiere Reconstruction: February 2017; Length: 20 minutes; Dancers: Deep Vision Dance Company

Matter, Energy, Human was nominated as a Baltimore Best Performance 2017.

Touring Schedule of Work:
"Matter, Energy, Human," Theatre Project, Baltimore, MD, April 2016 (42 min)
"Impacting Spaces Tour," Community Education Center, Philadelphia, PA, February 2017 (20 min)
"Impacting Spaces Tour," Intersections Festival, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC, February 2017 (20 min)
"Impacting Spaces Tour," Theatre Project, Baltimore, MD, March 2017 (20 min)
"Deep Vision," Opera House, Havre de Grace, MD, October 2017 (42 min)

Collaborators: Timothy Nohe (music composition, analog and digital synthesis), Shelly Purdy (percussion), Julian Hicks and Chloe Wiecz (voice), Leigh Targaryen and Jay Buechler (costumes), Heather Mork (lighting design)

Photo Shoot inspired by work at Hoen & Co Lithograph Building: https://flic.kr/s/aHskZDJZJk

Between 2012 – 2016, Martinell collaboratively choreographed a series of site-specific works for the AKIMBO Dance & Movement Art Festival. Works focused on the history, artwork, and/or architecture of the spaces. Spaces/Works included:

Evening at the Chesapeake Restaurant, Chesapeake Building (2016)
Bottle Caps & Suits, Baltimore Design School (2015)
Causal Nexus SITE, Station North Chicken Box (2014)
Sacred Spaces, Leidy Gallery/Fred Lazarus IV Center (2013)
Out of My Head, Westnorth Studio/roycrosse (2012)

Each work featured multiple collaborations, included audience interaction, and ranged in length from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Between 2012-2016, Martinell enjoyed researching the historical layers and bringing to life the women, dances, and music of the Ragtime Era. Martinell created two an evening length works as well as a residency work for K-12 students and seniors.

Heady Collectables: Lighthearted and candid, heady collectables brings to life an assortment of head idioms, such as “two heads are better than one,” “hothead,” and “heads up!” Vibrant characters, Scott Joplin music, boxes, and humorous poetry weave together this witty work. Premiere: January 2013; Length 36:00 minutes: Dancers: Deep Vision Dance Company. Collaborators: Caroll Dorritt (poet), Paul Martinell (props). Special feature: Dance Place & Capital Fringe Festival, 2013.

The Traveling Feet: Featuring live percussion music, aerobic dancing, audience interaction, and more, The Traveling Feet celebrates women of the Ragtime Era. Used as a means for self-expression, Ragtime dancing became a catalyst for social change during the women’s suffrage movement. Women displayed acts of defiance by swinging, swaying, and performing Animal Dances, through the streets. Premiere: April 2014; Length: 35 minutes; Dancers: Deep Vision Dance Company. Collaborators: Patrick Roulet, Kyle Flens, Mark Craig, Rachel Roulet, Gunnar Folsom (music), Leigh Alexander and Jay Beuchler (costume). Special feature: Baltimore Theatre Project, 2014/2015

Women of the Ragtime Era & The Traveling Feet: Youth/Senior Residencies: Immaculate Conception, Patapsco High School, Weinberg Village Senior Center, Jewish Community Center, Seton Keough High School, St. Joseph’s Nursing Home.

Martinell’s fascination with physics and dance emerged during her site work at the Station North Chicken Box in AKIMBO 2014. The site-exploration was a large-scaled, interactive, cause and effect grid.

From here, the proscenium work, Causal Nexus, birthed. Investigating the visual beauty of unfolding physical phenomena, Causal Nexus explores collisions, momentum, and energy in a closed system surrounded by gradually enclosing, cushioned walls.

Choreography further evolved into two forms: Matter, Energy, Human, an evening length modern work, and Learning Physics through Movement, an arts integration outreach program for K-12, both debuting in 2016. Learning Physics through Movement has been shared with numerous schools throughout 2016-2017.

Collaborators: Timothy Nohe (music), Svetlana Gladycheva (physicist), Deep Vision Dance Company (dancers), Heather Mork (lighting design), Leigh Targaryen (costume)

Always curious and continually fascinated with working in collaborative settings, Nicole Martinell developed a series of works that connected her to a variety of artists. Though all of her works highlight collaborative processes, a few of her most fond, memorable, and personally impactful are below.

3: Exploring this sacred number reveals its connection to the integrity of existence; order is organically sustained through the underlying pulse of 3. Premiere: October 2013; Length: 10 minutes; Dancers: Deep Vision; Collaborator: Cuong Nguyen. Special feature: Maryland Choreographers Showcase, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, January 2014.

Fractured Spectrum: Immersing the audience with videography and translucent mirrors, Fractured Spectrum traverses the continuum from dark, ambiguous self-absorption to light, clarity, and compassion. Premiere: June 2011; Length: 34 minutes; Dancers: Deep Vision; Collaborators: Ron Santana (Video), Paul Martinell (Mirrors). Special feature: Joe’s Movement Emporium and Theatre Project, 2012.

Flirt & Fizzle: A whimsical duet that the validity of relationships emerging from intrigue and fixation. Premiere: April 2010; Length: 10 minutes; Dancers: Lindsey Hedrick, Amina Royster (original cast); Collaborator: Ron Santana, David Merino (Video), Kendra Shapanus (Costume). Special features: Dance Place Choreographers Showcase, DC; Green Space, NY; Triskelion Arts, NY, 2011.

Laguna el Encanto (Charm Lagoon): Collides quirky modern dance with flashy flamenco movements, resulting in a peculiar bird ballad. Flamenco artist, Jamahl Rahmaan displays his delicious footwork as bird-like women swoon to be his mate. The rhythmic landscape is composed and performed live by regional artist, Griff Beheler. Work celebrates the 5 year anniversary of Martinell's Deep Vision Dance Company at Baltimore Theatre Project in 2015. Collaborators: Jamahl Rahmaan (flamenco artist), Griff Beheler (music composition).

When moving to Baltimore in 2008, Martinell choreographed a series of solo works. Originally choreographed for her body, these works were later transposed onto other, unique bodies. Twisted, emotional, thought-provoking journeys were key to these works as well as collaborative elements. Both works were reconstructed on company members of Deep Vision Dance Company as well as students of the Towson University Dance Company between the years of 2015-2017. Most recently, Inner Palette has been performed by Deep Vision at the Havre de Grace Opera House (2017) and has been accepted to be performed at the Baltimore Dance Invitational (2018).

Muffle (the Puppet)
Muffle characterizes the emotional journey of a woman longing to speak, express, and find herself. Existing in a world of unknowns, she continually suppresses her voice and molds herself to the ways of others. She has become a puppet manipulated by her own fear. Can she swallow the self-doubt, escape her shield, and discover freedom?

Inner Palette
Inner Palette follows the journey of a woman sifting through complex layers of her psyche to reach self-acceptance. As the emotionally and physically rich layers emerge and unfold, the dancer moves toward a heightened, frantic state before finally releasing, submitting, digesting, and opening her eyes to her true, inner fabric.
*Original version features 4 moldable sculptures composed of chicken wire, bottles, and construction fencing created by visual artist, Rebecca Wolf.

In 2011, Martinell founded Deep Vision as a vehicle for her choreographic and entrepreneurial endeavors. Over the past 6 years, Deep Vision has grown into an organization impacting many lives and much larger than Martinell’s dreams.

Based in Baltimore, Deep Vision is a performing arts, nonprofit organization dedicated to producing innovative choreographic work while creating a home for dancers, collaborating with regional artists, and educating the community in the creative process.

Deep Vision choreography has been featured at such east coast venues as Baltimore Museum of Art (MD), Dance Place (DC), Green Space (NY), Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (MD), Triskelion Arts (NY), Gala Theatre at Tivoli Square (DC) among many others as well as unique, site-specific locations throughout Baltimore City. Deep Vision is a resident company at Baltimore Theatre Project.

Highly active in the community, DVDC/Martinell projects have included Go Deep! residency programs, By/4 Artist professional development series, Modern Dance for the Soma, Community Improvisation Jams, Dual Jams at Windup Space, AKIMBO Dance & Movement Art Festival, and choreographic mentorship for youth.

Recently celebrating its 5th year, AKIMBO is a festival of site-specific dance and movement art in Baltimore's Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Comprised of the Artwalk, Teaser, & Spree, AKIMBO features 15+ professional dance companies and movement artists from traditional to experimental, plus music, spoken word, art installation, puppet, multi-media, performance art, and more. Over 150 artists perform in AKIMBO for ~800 audience members each year.

During AKIMBO Artwalk (main event), artists present work in art galleries, restaurants, bridges, parks, murals, and businesses. Artwork speaks to the architecture, history, and/or theme of the locations. At their own pace, audiences explore the neighborhoods rich architecture while participating in live art. Over 50 volunteers in yellow shirts guide audiences along the way.

AKIMBO is a project of Deep Vision Dance Company, under the direction of co-founders/co-coordinators Nicole Martinell, dancer and choreographer, and Sidney Pink, local artist and curator.