Meet Vanessa Hernández Cruz | Disabled Dance Artist & Disability Justice Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Hernández Cruz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose dance because it has allowed me to embrace my disabled body and my disabled experiences. It has become my coping mechanism against ableism and societal norms. Dance is an exciting universe full of unknowns and possibilities. As soon as I begin my practice, the rest of the world evaporates and I feel right at home in my body and mind. Creating dances is a portal to untold stories and ideas. Once the process is over and its has been performed; I gently let that dance piece go. It becomes a core memory. But the magic is in the actual process. It’s an intricate maze of problem solving and creativity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a choreographer I am fascinated with how our different experiences holds space within our psyche and how that projects into the outside world. By exploring the crevasses of authenticity & identity I embody rawness into my performance aesthetic.       I seek innovative provocation to provide genuine equity upon the dance community. It is access-centered and it is crafted as a part of the entire process. I find ways in which disability isn’t the center of attention but as part of the human experience & diversity. I believe it is imperative to create work that touches upon emotions, stories, & experiences that are difficult to express through written forms. I dive deep into dark aesthetics, abstractions, and storytelling that engages the imagination and relevance to reality.

I studied dance at Santa Monica College where I obtained my associate’s degree in dance and then I transferred to Cal State Long Beach and I obtained my BA in Dance Science in 2021. It was definitely a difficult journey since dance is highly dominated by non-disabled dancers. I had endure a vast amount of ableism and inequity in those spaces and even now post-graduation I am still bumping into this system of oppression.
One of the ways I have been counteracting ableism is by creating dance films. It was and still is incredibly difficult to find accessible opportunities to showcase dance work as a disabled artist. I decided to film my work and this idea has allowed me to archive my dance work and to show other disabled dance artists that there are multiple ways to get our work out there.
Another important aspect of my work is authenticity. I have allowed myself to be transparent about myself in a way that counteracts needing to appease the white non-disabled gaze. This is a huge shift and important one as I start to reconnect into my Chicana roots.
Through my dance films and choreographic work I want the world to know that my pieces ignite the imagination and explores disability aesthetics in contemporary forms and experimentation.I am working on shifting the dance field away from the inspirational-porn perspective of disability and moving it into a humanistic perspective.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place is Placita Olvera; in English Olvera Street. It is a magical place to experience Chicano culture and enjoy amazing artistry. You’ll experience our history, music, food, and so much more! My favorite restaurant there is El Paseo de Los Angeles! Definitely try their enchiladas! Another exciting location is the Arts District located in Downtown Los Angeles! You get to experience and take in the art culture in LA. Everywhere you turn there is something to witness and get inspired by!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this Shoutout to my Familia. My mother Maria Silva & my sister Nancy. They have been there for me every step of the way throughout this wild journey. I love them so much and I am excited for them to witness all this hard work come to life! They have cheered me on, comforted me during difficult times, helped me with my access needs, and they have accompanied me during long dance rehearsals. We thrive through interdependence.
I also want to give a shoutout to Sins Invalid & their Disability Justice Framework.. “Sins Invalid is a disability justice performance project that centers people of color, queers, nonbinary and trans people with disabilities.” I have been studying and applying their Disability Justice Framework to my dance practice and activism work. This framework has provided me tools to best support & advocate for our Disabled, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. It has also given me the feeling of belonging in this world. It has affirmed all my experiences as a Disabled Chicana.

Website: https://www.galaxiesdance.info

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galaxiesdance/

Other: https://linktr.ee/Galaxiesdance

Image Credits
Paula Kiley Dance Film Stills from “Nycto-Eternity” “DNA: Disability Not Ability” “11th Hour” & “Grey City”