Harradine, David (2012) Stilled. [Performance]

Abstract

Inspired by the scientific process of X-ray crystallography, Stilled is a durational dance (performed for between 3 and 12 hours) and an exhibition of pinhole photographs.

The dance is performed not only for a human audience, but also for an audience of pinhole cameras. During the performance, these cameras take long-exposure photographs of the movements taking place, which are developed and then displayed as part of the event. In Stilled, the audience witnesses the performance taking place, and they see the strange, often abstract images that bear witness to earlier improvisations.

Stilled is a meditation on the nature of perception: of taking time to become visible, taking time to be present, taking time to look, and taking time to see. Stilled features live, improvised music by Jamie McCarthy and live lighting designed and controlled by Hansjorg Schmidt. Audiences are free to come and go throughout the duration of the piece.

Stilled is a durational dance piece for 3 dancers, which is performed for anything between 3 and 12 hours. It has a live electroacoustic music score and a live lighting design, both of which are improvised in response to and as stimuli for the improvised movement within the piece itself.

Ali Beale - Production manager & design
Sam Butler - Darkroom processing
Theo Clinkard - Performing company
Laura Cubitt - Performing company
Robin Dingemans - Performing company
Valentina Formenti - Performing company
David Harradine - Direction, design & photography
Sachi Kimura - Performing company
Jamie McCarthy - Music
Matthew Morris - Performing company
Hansjorg Schmidt - Lighting Design
Petra Soor - Performing company
Charles Webber - Lighting & music cover