By Catherine Tharin

In silence Malcolm-x Betts and Ella Dawn W-S lightly touch as they struggle to balance. Their bodies are close, and the shapes of their bodies, often with one leg in back attitude while slowly revolving, respond in like-shapes to the other. Except for the spot lit couple, the lighting at CPR – Center for Performance Research in Brooklyn, is dim. He, bare-chested, wears a bright orange Speedo, knee pads, long white socks, and sneakers (later to don a blue and white striped bathing suit), while she is dressed in black underwear, light-colored sports bra, a pad on her right knee, and sneakers. Thus begins Malcolm-x Betts’ multi-scene 60m work, what happens when things become undone? an improvisational duet on Blackness, abstraction, love and grief.