Liquid Latex is one of those Brandeis experiences that students have to see to understand. Dancers, wearing nothing but colorful liquid latex, showcase the imaginative creations of painters and choreographers in an evocative and sometimes provocative performance. Coordinator Alex Hulse '12 and Assistant Coordinator Shayna Medley '12 offer justArts a preview of their show on Thursday night in the Levin Ballroom.JustArts: Liquid Latex has always been a highly anticipated show. How do you plan to surprise students in this year's performance?

Alex Hulse: We will surprise everyone by having another show with male and female models in only latex body paint. While this is what we do every year, I think it still surprises a lot of people that their peers will put themselves out there in such a way. This year, we expect an even better show, with new ideas being used in the pieces as designers push their limits more and more.

Shayna Medley: I think the show in itself carries surprise and shock value every year. It's something so unique about Brandeis and incorporates so many levels of art. This year in particular, we aren't limiting ourselves to a specific theme, which I think has allowed all the groups to get as creative as they want. Usually groups have to struggle to fit their ideas to the show's yearly theme, but this year we just decided to see what everyone would come up with on their own. Also, the runway designs are going to be designed by individuals, rather than one person designing the whole thing for one specific theme.

JA: The show is coming up soon. Tell us a little bit about the process of putting everything together the past few weeks.

AH: Well, we came into the semester with the piece designs and over the past few months groups have been preparing their choreography. The last few weeks the board has been putting the final touches on everything. We have been doing allergy tests to make sure all participants are safe. We have also just placed our large paint order and have been finalizing music and designs with the groups.

JA: What types of new ideas have students presented to you? Anything that took you by surprise?

AH: Designers this year went all kinds of ways with the pieces. Many do new things with both the latex paint and with the dancing. We have groups this year playing with both painted and clothed models. We also have a number of pieces that present stories, both original stories and known ones that are presented in a new way. There are also a few pieces that can simply be described as strange, but those are some of the most exciting ones, truly utilizing the unique medium in art and dance.

JA: Is Liquid Latex a performance of dance, of art or of sexuality?

SM: It's funny, I don't really think of the show as representing sexuality, but really I'd say it's all three. It's definitely a dance and art performance piece, but it's also very liberating.

AH: This year, and in the past, some designers have juxtaposed sexuality with non-sexual or innocent things, such as the Pokemon piece two years ago, while others play directly to the sexuality. However, even more than sexuality, Liquid Latex provides a unique freeing experience for the models and the audience, a safe place to use their bodies openly as art.

JA: How has the production changed over the years?

AH: The first year it was originally just a simple fashion type show at the Festival of the Arts. We are now in our 10th year and there has been a professionalism that has developed. Pieces are more thought-out, better designed, and even more thought provoking. Some groups have been developing their pieces for a year or more, and this can be seen in how the show improves from year to year.

JA: If you had to pick one reason for a student to attend Liquid Latex, what would it be?

AH: They should attend for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our show is not only unique on the Brandeis campus, but it is the only show like it anywhere. We are the only college that does a performance with latex paint. We are known outside of the Brandeis community, even being mentioned on Playboy.com. We have something for everyone: wonderful dance, beautiful artwork and beautiful male and female models that donate their bodies for our show.

SM: You will almost definitely never see this kind of performance anywhere but Brandeis. Liquid latex dance performances are sometimes seen at festivals in other countries, but to my knowledge Brandeis is the only university that does it. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I strongly encourage new students and students who haven't had the chance to go in the past to attend. The show usually sells out quickly!