IMPROVISATION LABORATORY

Bodyweather Workshop, Dartmoor, UK, 2010. Led by Marnie McKee & Rachel Sweeney. Image by Michelle Outram & Manuel Vason

includes

BODYWEATHER TRAINING (led by Marnie McKee)

IMPROVISATION RESEARCH (facilitated by Michelle Outram)

WHEN
BLOCK 1: Friday 19 to Monday 22 November

BLOCK 2: Wednesday 1 December to Wednesday 8 December

WHERE

Fremantle Arts Centre

BACKGROUND

This laboratory is being offered as part of Michelle Outram's residency at Fremantle Arts Centre. Michelle is currently researching methodologies for developing large-scale improvised performance installation environments and would like to share this research (and associated practice and training) with other practitioners from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience.

STRUCTURE

The lab is structured as a series of non-compulsory sessions (three per day – see next page for times and descriptions) so that artists can choose how much to be involved, work around other commitments and/or to be able to focus on areas of interest within what is offered. Full (or significant) participation is encouraged as Michelle is interested in the notion of working 'at capacity' and exploring the paradoxical relationship between exhaustion and energy in the creative process, however, all levels of participation will be supported.

REGISTRATION

Please email Michelle (details below) clearly stating which sessions you would like to attend. This will help us plan the laboratory. Places for morning training are limited. Please also very briefly state your relationship (if any) to improvisation and to Bodyweather.

COST

The artists are offering this laboratory at no cost in a collegiate and skill-sharing spirit, but if you'd like to make a financial contribution, that can also be arranged.
CONTACT
MICHELLE OUTRAM via email, phone, skype, fb etc
email: michelle at michelleoutram dot com (you know the deal)

DESCRIPTION OF SESSIONS


MORNING SESSIONS: 1000 TO 1300 (arrive by 0945)

NB. There will be no morning sessions on 20 and 21 Nov.

BODYWEATHER – MB – led by Marnie McKee (nee Orr)

     

MB (which stands for Mind Body, Muscle Bone) is a workout session based on the walking, working body. MB is designed to develop individuals' strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, agility, stamina, and relationship to gravity, space, time and the working group. MB provides physical and verbal tools for generating dynamic space. It forms the foundation of Bodyweather training and philosophy. Bodyweather is a broadbased, comprehensive physical training which cultivates a conscious relation to the state of constant change inside and outside the body. Founded in Japan by butoh dancer Min Tanaka and his Mai-Juku performance group in the 1970's, Bodyweather is an open investigation that can be relevant for anyone interested in extending their physical practice, and creative practice generally. (Description provided by Marnie McKee.)

AFTERNOON SESSIONS: 1400 to 1700

IMPROVISATION PRACTICE – EXERCISES AND EXPLORATIONS – facilitated by Michelle and guests

     

Research in Real Time Composition with João Fiadeiro, Lisbon 2010: A series from session in the studio with João Fiadeiro, Vera Sofia Mota, Carlos Oliviera, Francisco Macias, Isabel Simões and Mariana Santos

These sessions will combine exploration of a variety of techniques and approaches to improvisation with the opportunity to practice performing for a group of peers. Sessions will be focussed around areas of interest and could include working from attention to texture and sensation, investigating memory/imagination or the role of 'fiction' in protecting the performer. Please contact Michelle if you have a particular interest and would like to lead a session.

EVENING SESSIONS: 1830 to 2130

RESEARCH – IMPROVISATION FOR FILM INSTALLATION ENVIRONMENTS – facilitated by Michelle

Research undertaken in March 2010 at Fremantle Arts Centre: Michelle Outram, Adelina Larsson, Simon Wise, Daniel Portelli, Hayley Bahr, Mia Holton, Maitland Schnaars, Carly Armstrong and Sarah Neviille

The evening sessions will focus on Michelle's current research project – methodological investigations toward the creation of The PNG Work which will examine Australia's relationship with Papua New Guinea through the development a continually shifting (improvised) film and performance installation environment. Michelle's use of improvised choreographic scores allows performers to respond in the present to memory, place, film elements, other performers and audiences. These sessions are open to anyone who is interested (as there's plenty to do) – no 'experience' of any particular kind necessary. Participation in this research may lead to involvement in the final work.

    

BIOGRAPHIES
MARNIE MCKEE

     

Image of Marnie by Carla Vendramin, Dartmoor, Devon, 2010

MARNIE (Perth, Australia) is a cross-media artist and live researcher working collaboratively with artists and scientists. McKee investigates place and identity through dance, technology and site utilising physical, verbal and visual languages. McKee is an endorsed Bodyweather practitioner, training with Tess de Quincey (Sydney, 1998-2001), as well as Stuart Lynch (Copenhagen) and Frank van de Ven (Amsterdam). McKee facilitates immersive research and training, and produces site works in consultation with local knowledge holders and geography/ecological field professionals.

MICHELLE OUTRAM

Image of Michelle by Marnie Orr, Bridgetown, 2010

MICHELLE recently returned to Perth from five months in Europe and the UK where she intensively investigated a range of approaches to improvisation, participating in research across a range of practices including Bodyweather with Marnie McKee & Rachel Sweeney (Dartmoor, UK); Real Time Composition with João Fiadiero (Lisbon, Portugal); and with practitioners Andrew Morrish and Rosalind Crisp. She is also collaborating with Manuel Vason (UK/Italy) in developing a practice using improvisation for the creation of performance images (photographs) and with Carla Vendramin (UK/Brazil) on projects in public places in London. Michelle trained as an improvisor with Andrew Morrish, Tony Osborne, Jo Pollitt, Nikki Heywood and Martin del Amo (amongst others) and has performed in Australia at Rushing for the Sloth (Sydney), Precipice (Canberra), Boiler Room (Hobart), Blind Date (Sydney) and Whip It (Sydney) which she also co-founded and co-curated.