Tulsa Modern Movement

Tulsa Modern Movement is a non-profit organization, creating projects that rely on a collaborative group of dancers and innovators making progressive work that surprises, delights and stimulates, while working within a broad network of producing artists.

The mission is to invigorate modern dance in Oklahoma by creating and performing new choreography, promoting life-long learning in the art of dance, and collaborating across disciplines.

Ari Christopher

Ari Christopher is a dancer maker and founding Director of Tulsa Modern Movement, a company making performance, education and cross-disciplinary collaboration in the lineage of American Modern dance. Her choreography has been commissioned by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Living Arts of Tulsa, and ahha Tulsa, among others; and won Best of Fest at Exchange Choreography Festival 2016.

Ms. Christopher attended the BFA program in Modern Dance and Choreography at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, where she trained with Merle Holloman (Jose Limon Company), Lone Larsen (Martha Graham Co.), and Gerald Otte (Nikolais Dance Theatre). She continues her professional development by studying with masters in the field.

This Car Up

Ari Christopher and the Tulsa Modern Movement investigate alternative narratives about the catalyzing incident of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre through This Car Up, a dance film. Exploring the alleged inappropriate interaction between a white woman, Sarah Page, and a Black man, David “Dick” Rowland, in the Drexel Building elevator, This Car Up envisions various scenarios and relationships between the two. Reflecting on the power of perception in constructing beliefs, This Car Up calls attention to the political meanings entangled in our perception of contact between white women and Black men.

The dance film and art installation will be free and open to the public in the Atrium of One Williams Center located at 101 E. Second Street. Visitors may view the exhibits between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please do not attend if you have been exposed to or are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 and follow all safety protocols listed below.

All visitors should follow these guidelines while visiting the exhibit:

• Individuals experiencing an elevated temperature or COVID-19-like symptoms are asked not to visit the exhibits 

• If adequate social distancing is not possible, visitors are encouraged to wear protective face coverings

• Visitors should follow any directions given by building security personnel during emergencies such as fire, medical and severe weather

• Photography is not permitted without prior written consent from Williams Property Management
  No alcohol, smoking, or unauthorized weapons are permitted on Williams property

• Minimize conversations and noise levels in the Atrium and be respectful to tenants’ business operations in the adjacent spaces 

Please note: Building security may deny access to, or eject from the building, any person whose presence threatens the safety and interests of the building and its occupants.