There has been so much going on since I last posted I don't even know where to begin. But the basics are that the conference - Performance Studies International: PSi #12 went very well. I had a great time and the campus felt so alive with over 500 delegates and artists from around the world participating in 5 days of panels, discussions, performances, interventions...it was fabulous. I met some wonderful people and was able to engage with stimulating ideas. The really big names of Performance theory/theatre theory were at this conference and their papers were really wonderful to listen to. I managed to go to 6 performances as well. They ranged from very basic sort of lecture/story telling to full on performance event with naked bodies, offal, accupuncture and blood...if you really want to know more, email me. I even got to perform at the event with a group called the Red Ladies who are part of the Clod Ensemble in London. I was an interventionist! I sat on a bench, in costume, and knit for a while and then I participated in the closing ceremonies with 11 others. It was great. Coming down from so much activity took about a week. But on the 24th of June I was hosting a performance event in London.
'Liturgia' was a collaborative performance evening that was created by myself and 5 other women. It was mostly installation pieces in a series of 5 rooms in a space called the Boiler Room. The Boiler Room is a place that has been donated for prayer. There are quite a few of them in London. This one is in central London, near Moorgate Station. The other women involved in the project were mostly fine artists who do drawing, sculpture, silk screen, film, photography, etc. I am the only trained performer. The evening was a series of events where we got people who came along to join in with a 'tongue in cheek' exercise video that we had created, to help keep the 'clock' going (this is also hard to explain in a few lines...so maybe phone me if this one interests you!), to make the snacks in the assembly line, and to generally engage with the idea of work through many different pieces. Although we didn't advertise very well, we had a decent turn out and the evening was succesful. We had a great time and I enjoyed playing hostess and keeping everthing ticking along. I also orchestrated a series of interventions where the 6 of us suddenly appeared in the space all together moving chairs around, having a board meeting, or doing the exercise video ourselves. We have been offered a space in Kennington where we can remount the exhibit in 3 or 4 months. So that is the next thing to work towards.
Now I am madly trying to work on my chapter as I am flying back to Canada on the 4th of July for 16 days. I also have friends coming to stay with me from Thursday through to Monday...packing may get done at the last minute!
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