From the 26th - 28th June I attended the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) in Meanjin, Brisbane, on the lands of the Jagera and Turrbal people. This annual symposium has been going since 1990, and attracts artists, scientists and researchers from around the world. This trip was made possible through the generous support of Creative New Zealand's Artist Development Fund.
While at ISEA I attended the final day of panel discussions including a dance panel with artist's from Hawaii, UK and
Australia. On Thursday I attended the workshop Machine Movement Lab: Alloyed Bodies by Petra Gemeinboeck and Rob Saunders along with dancers Audrey Rochette, Felix Palmerson and Siobhan McKenna. After this workshop I saw the futuristic extended reality (XR) performance, Hagoromo XR and on Friday I hosted my workshop, moving as many, at QUT's Creative Industries Precinct.
moving as many used written prompts in choreographed and improvised tasks for devising scores. This practice orients with queer artist strategies and befriends nonhuman forms of intelligence in site-responsive performance. It has particular interest in the symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and trees.
With eyes closed we attuned to a subterranean world and began to move like hyphae tendrils, spreading throughout the space. After 10 minutes of self exploration we came together for a discussion. One participant recalled imagining the entire studio as 'underground' and moving in all directions at once.
We created choreographic scores that connected ourselves to place, whether that be Meanjin or elsewhere. We experimented with these scores in the studio and then shared our short choreographies. Afterwards, with reference to Lisa Nelson's Tuning Scores, the audience began to feed prompts to performers during their performance.
At the end of this workshop there was a discussion for participants to offer any findings, reflections or questions. We discussed the similarities and differences of our individual process and the significance of place. A participant, Sharyne Lewis, shared her interdisciplinary practice and use of visual arts and poetry with choreography.
It was great to connect with artist-researcher, Sharyne Lewis, from Whangarei in Aotearoa. Sharyne presented at the dance panel on Wednesday and came to my workshop on Friday. We both share an interest in more-than-human intelligence and working with scores in choreography.
Lastly, I would like to thank to CNZ for the grant which made it possible for me to devote myself to this workshop and travel to Brisbane. I would also like to thank those who attended my workshop and Byrd Boonprakob-Naughton for his photos.
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