subtle architectures: dare-dare, montreal, quebec

dare-dare, montreal, quebec
hand carved photographs from performance documentation


http://subtlearchitectures.dare-dare.org/

Each performance in this series addressed a site formerly occupied by Dare-Dare since the beginning of their project dis/location in 2004. The first was performed as a solo. The second set included an invitation for six participants per day. The third and final performance was intended for twelve contributers per day. Participants were encouraged to sign up for one or all of these actions and were provided with their own Subtle Architecture Kits, which included chalk, a chalk holder, and a folding ruler.

subtle architekturen: jena, germany

subtle architekturen: the transient nature of spatial order (2009)
crash!boom!bau!, jena, germany

chalk, chalk holder, ddr ruler, hand carved photographs from performance documentation.

http://www.bauhauslab.org


Subtle Architekturen: The Transient Nature of Spatial Order was developed for the 90th anniversary of the Bauhaus in Jena, Germany. The evolution of this specific triad of performances was influenced by my research into the history of the Bauhaus school, specifically the work of Oskar Schlemmer and the 'Triadic Ballet'. I used a DDR ruler and heavy chalk to demarcate my locations, strict lines in contrast to abstract gestures performed in public space.

subtle architectures subtiles: 3e imperial, granby, quebec.

Subtle Architectures Subtiles (2008)

3e imperial, granby, quebec

chalk, ruler, carved photographs from performance documentation.

http://www.3e-imperial.org/

During a one-month residency at 3e imperial, Granby, Quebec, I worked to develop the project Subtle Architectures Subtiles. My daily work consisted of constructing and shifting spaces along a meandering. Granby is a small town and I often found myself working alone. I began to wonder what it would be like to have other people accompany me in this process. I invited people to show me the spaces they frequented. They took me for walks around town and described the quality of these locations. It was this aspect of the process that prompted a restructuring of the project for the subsequent Dare-Dare series. 

raumanderung: ein formloses diagramm

Raumanderung: Ein Formloses Diagramm (2008)

sternbrueke, ilm parc, weimar, germany

contact microphones, wireless transmitter, amplifiers

A performer moves on site. Contact microphones, attached to foot and hand, transmit the sound of her movements to amplifiers placed at a distance from the location. An informal diagram is constructed by the placement of speakers in space, one on top of the bridge, and on either side of a sight line. the performer engages with her containment, an acoustic and rhythmic dialogue between logos and the sensing body.

plastic dynamism

Plastic Dynamism (2008)
performance mix, new york city, u.s.a.
felt, rubber tubing, industrial thread

The project Plastic Dynamism was developed though a process of movement. Prosthesis from felt and rubber tubing were built. I proceeded to move within these containments to inspire the building of others. through a process of accumulation an abstract figure was constructed. The resulting sculpture was worn for a series of live performances and documented with super eight. This footage was employed for further productions and a short film in collaboration with Solomon Nagler and Steve Bates.

plastic optimism: a practice in enabling constraints

ignition 4, leonard and bina ellen gallery, montreal, quebec.

felt, mini speakers, mini lcd screens, foam core, wood, bungee cords.

photo credits: caroline boileau

A series of soft sculptures were built from 1" industrial felt, a headpiece for one occupant, and another for two. The completed sculptures were hung from the ceiling by means of bungee cords. Small amplifiers embedded in the walls of these constructions played back simple instructions for movement, step to the right, up, down. A third sculpture included steps that lead up into a foam core building. The participant was encouraged to place their head within, in order to view footage of a person moving within an institutional setting, the original foam sculpure placed upon her head. 

plastic optimism

Plastic Optimism

An ability to adjust to ones surroundings, to utilize structure as a means to propel oneself forward towards invention

Enabling Constraints

A method utilized to provide structure to chaos, to present clarity amidst a proliferation of obstructions

A stubborn curiosity, to engage with the boundaries that contain, to press up against borders, to consider seemingly concrete forms as malleable.

Certain determination

Subtle shifts of spatial design

Agility upon encountering obstacles along a meandering

You fall into a hole, the next time you encounter the gap, you perceive it, but still tumble within, meeting the opening a third time, you observe it, pass along side, evading the collapse, only to trip into the next

A process of thinking through movement

Improvise with perceived limitations

Agency

An intention that informs the decision regarding a movement

Towards a certain disruption of spatial order

A methodology

Pass through form to recognize its function

A certain fondness for incongruity

Abstract articulations

Kinesthetic negotiations

Neurological acrobatics