Each week the blog will act as a resource for any notes or references mentioned during the workshop, as well as featuring at least one visual or written response from one or more of the participants.
WEEK 1
Response by Jamie Atherton,
After the workshop last week I walked to Elephant and Castle and found an Ofo leaning up against Jamiroquai’s house (sometimes referred to as the Faraday Memorial), unlocked it and headed for home. I hadn’t gone far when I realised this Ofo was a mess — its basket was half hanging off and rattling around, the gear-change casing on the handlebar was shattered and the front light had apparently been ripped off. This little Ofo was not what you’d call dexterous, agile or, for that matter, fit, but still it was capable of moving and after a while the sound of the basket banging around became kind of interesting and I came to realise I was enjoying the slightly dangerous, radical feeling of riding the crepuscular city with no headlight. There were things to be appreciated and considered about this junky bike. Nonetheless, by the time I found one of its siblings waiting patiently by Peckham Platform, I was ready to switch. It is, I think, no contradiction to find value in the fucked up while looking for something better.
References
Joe gave an overview of contemporary dance history and context, mentioning specifically the work of Yvonne Rainer, Trisha Brown, Steve Paxton, Jérôme Bel and Boris Charmatz.
Suggested reading:
A Choreographer’s Handbook by Jonathan Burrows
Exhausting Dance by Andrei Lepecki
