​

​

Concept:

Statuesque is a metaphor for the feeling of petrification that one experiences when contact with community is lost, the feeling of numbness or turning to stone. It is a study on the effects of lock down and social distancing from the perspective of marginalised groups & queerness, speaking particularly to the experiences of those who may have already been subject to long-term social exclusion, intolerance & persecution.

 

​

THE IDEA

The ramifications of Covid-19 are disruptive on many levels. From the feelings of isolation and loneliness experienced by the individual, to the break-down of the theatrical experience and to the loss of connection to the communities that often replace our sense of family. In order to confront the multifarious effects of lockdown/social distancing, and to reverse the feeling of petrification we are working closely with hosts and partnering venues we reimagine the theatrical experience. Statuesque explores three key ideas: 

Identity / Kinaesthetic Empathy / Spatial Orientation

 

 

Identity - Remembering who we are.

The power of representation and what it means for individuals to see themselves represented in the world they move through cannot be understated. 15 diverse artists are creating solo’s that reflect who they are. They move together to both represent and reflect, to own and belong to the world they inhabit. 

​

Kinaesthetic Empathy

This aspect of Statuesque is a contact duet of long duration between two co-habiting artists. The work, Butoh in style, will be part improvised, part prescribed and lasting approximately 5 hours. The idea is to create a work that audiences can visit in the same manner they would visit art and sculpture.

Physical contact provides many health benefits, the act of holding and being held triggers hormones that can support well-being. For many people this is no longer possible and kinaesthetic empathy may be the next best thing. Neurologically speaking there is no difference between holding hands or seeing (even imagining) someone else holding hands. In statuesque we apply this concept to audience spectatorship promoting an experience of contact. 

​

Spatial Orientation

A socially distanced, site-specific performance with artists from separate homes and bubbles. This work is improvised and interactive designed first of all for outdoor performances and is transferrable to larger indoor spaces such as galleries. A group of highly experienced dance artists with exceptional orientation skills create a work through improvisation practices. An audience, on-foot, move between the skilled performers who maintain social distance parameters and demonstrate how to have fun with space. 

 

Partners and Hosts include: 

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Seven Arts Centre

Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Metal Culture Peterborough

 

The Team

Producer/Director/Performer: Phil Sanger

Choreographer/Performer: Michael Marquez

Composer/Performer: Azizi Cole

Designer: Andi Walker

Dance Artists: TBA