Smudged performance: a collaboration between the Rocket Artists and Corali Dance Company

Alice Fox, E. Ritchie, S. Archdeacon, D.J. Flynn

Research output: Non-textual outputPerformance

Abstract

The Smudged performance was a 30 minute vibrant mix of movement, live projection, drawing, installation, words, sound and live music inspired by the Ideas and Objects collection at Tate Modern. The performance bought together the visual art practice of the learning disabled Rocket Artists and performance skills of the Corali Dance Company, University of Brighton painting students and Alice Fox. The piece was devised by the performers under the creative direction of Alice Fox, Ella Ritchie, Sarah Archdeacon and Donovan Flynn. It was funded by Arts Council South East and Henry Smith Charity and supported by Tate Modern through the donation of rehearsal space. This work researched through practice: inclusive arts practices accessible and appropriate to performers with and without learning disabilities. When words are not enough how do we collaborate equally? Predominantly non-verbal methods for performers to respond to artworks and each other using visual art and movement were developed and utilized. This enabled all the performers to devise the creative content of the show. We carefully considered how to use the processes of collaboration to create a space for equality of expression and the development of creative ideas ensuring everyone‚s ideas were Œheard‚. Workshop methods including supported skills and knowledge sharing sessions led by the learning disabled performers using visual instructions and creative practices were developed. By bringing such a diverse group of people together through their common interests in art and performance we were also able to research how responses to gallery collections can be used to foster the collaborative artistic process with an inclusive group of people with a wide variety of communication needs. Whilst acknowledging and celebrating our differences we looked at how the group came together through commonalties of experiences during the development of the performance and how this informed the creative process. The work was presented at Tate Modern to an invited audience of artists, performers, curators, educationalists, journalists, arts funders, carers and friends. The placement of the work in the Tate Modern enabled the audience to view the performance in a gallery setting next to the artworks that inspired the performance. The immediate proximity of these artworks to the performance development space provided an important accessible physical link for the performers making it possible for them to shape their initial responses into movement and drawings very quickly in context before they were forgotten. The research findings and inclusive arts practice methods developed during this project will be fed back into the curriculum at both undergraduate and postgraduate level within the new MA Inclusive Arts Practices. As a diverse group of performers we now have a common language and experience to draw upon for future collaborations. Smudged is also documented as part of the National Museums online learning project, launched at V and A Museum in 2009. See Creative Spaces film http://tate.nmolp.org/creativespaces A film of the whole performance is available from Alice Fox, a.v.fox@brighton.ac.uk.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationLondon, UK
PublisherTate Modern, London
Publication statusPublished - 14 May 2008
EventSmudged performance - Tate Modern, London
Duration: 14 May 2008 → …

Bibliographical note

It was excellent to see learning disabled artists experimenting with new techniques, ideas and media in the workshops and the final studio performance which was so popular and well attended. Congratulations to all involved in using the gallery collections and spaces in such exciting ways!

(Liz Ellis, Curator, Community programme Learning, Tate Modern)

It‚s a huge achievement to see higher education institutions such as the University of Brighton acknowledge the importance and value of art created by people with complex needs. We are delighted to see this MA course come to fruition and can‚t wait to see the fantastic collaborative work that will be produced as a result.

(Felicity Harvest, Executive Director of Arts Council England, South East)

Keywords

  • Inclusive Arts Performance
  • artists with learning disabilities
  • movement
  • projection
  • drawing
  • performance Tate Modern
  • site specific performance

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