Comedian Steve Martin once observed that writing about music is as difficult as “dancing about architecture.” Auburn's Absolute Dance Company will take a few steps toward the latter task with its next performance.

On Saturday, the company will marry the static world of visual arts with the kinetic energy of dance in “Pieces of Art.” The company's 12 dancers have chosen a wide array of works from local artists, including sculptures and oil paintings. Taking inspiration from the works, the dancers have designed choreography that expresses the mood of the art or narrates a story behind it.

“Some pieces are beautiful, tranquil and calm, but others are much more disturbing,” said Yvonne Hassett, founder and artistic director of the Absolute Dance Company. “They represent a wide array of personalities and feelings.”

The dance numbers will include solo and ensemble performances. All except one have been patterned after a finished piece of art submitted for the show. Hassett helped design the exception: a 7-foot structure fashioned from metal and copper that will provide the framework for a dance in which she will participate.

“The artist had to bend it by hand using a blowtorch,” Hassett said. “It shows different levels of chakras in the soul of a person and their balance between good and evil.”

The artists contributed their works to the dance company in response to advertisements placed in The Citizen. They will be in attendance at the show to watch as their visions are interpreted on stage.

Some artists guided the dancers' interpretations by sharing their artistic inspirations and even narratives they had already associated with the works. After the performance, audience members can inquire about the works and even arrange to purchase them.

Hassett believes this show from the Absolute Dance Company will take an afternoon visit to the local art gallery one step further.

“It makes the art come to life and jump off the canvas,” Hassett said.

Both the dancers and the artworks will combine to lend the audience a bold impression of Auburn's arts community.

“We wanted to do something really different to show that there are a lot of artists here in Auburn,” Hassett said. “We wanted to express the talent they have.”

Hassett expects that the audience, like the dancers, will walk away from the performance with their own meanings attached to the art they beheld at the Absolute Dance Company's show.

“The beautiful thing about art is that you have to be able to look at it and get your own perspective, there can be such a diversity of feeling and thought,” Hassett said.

Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net

If you go

What: “Pieces of Art”

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Absolute Dance Company, 53 Genesee St., Auburn

Cost: Free

For details: Call 253-0067