Mawson-Raffalt + Faulder-Mawson ) + ( = a0

I came out of this performance lecture feeling as if I had been massaged! Within 5 minutes of being in the intimate environment I could breath and feel my pulse throughout my body. With a busy lifestyle I can't remember the last time I genuinely relaxed and felt open to experience. Ursula and Anthony created a space that made you feel wrapped up in the performance despite being on the outside of it.

As with the projected backdrop of waves rippling into the shore I drifted in an out of the performance as an active and inactive audience member focussing into the words and movement but entranced by the light and projection.

A wonderful experience, sad to see such vibrant, knowledgeable and dedicated artists leave the space.

Good luck with the next leg...

Steph- Assistant Producer

International Exchange Programme Dance4 and Dance Ireland Presentation

International Exchange Programme Dance4 and Dance Ireland

Mawson- Raffalt + Faulder- Mawson

) + ( = ao

Research Series: Silence and Activity 1-14 May 2011

With the residency at a close and the studio back to an open space awaiting artists to use the space creatively, I am going talk about the inspiring presentation that took place 12 May 2011 at Dance4.

During the Dance4 residency the artists focused on the EXPERIENCE of an art environment, with their main aim being 'to give, inspire and transform'.

And they certainly did...following on from the residency, a small audience was invited to an informal presentation to experience intimacy, direct contact, (self) reflection and dialogue.

The presentation lasted about 80 minutes long and took place in the Dance4 studio. From first walking into the studio is was clear to see that the artists were working on points in space, with focus on the shapes of a square and a circle. The artist also used lighting, projection of a video, sound, voice, grids made with tape, text cards and movement. All of these elements were used to create a presentation that offered elements of a performance, lecture and installation within the same presentation.

The artists quoted in a previous blog that their piece offered a 'dynamic power of silence'. As an audience member this became very clear. The piece aloud my mind to constantly question, discover and explore the points in space that the artists were using and traveling from. The use walking forwards and backwards in slow motion was brilliantly done. It allowed the eyes to focus on the in between spaces and the small details that maybe are not always obvious or made vulnerable for the audience to see.

I enjoyed the fact that the artists did not make eye contact throughout the piece and related to each other by strictly feeling and sensing the others presence. The artists eyes were closed at times which allowed this connection and relationship to appear even stronger.

The use of voice emphasised the strong connection between the two artists. I felt a sense of play within the words and the timing of each word spoken was crucial in order to work. The words spoken played a powerful part within the piece and allowed you to interpret them in your own way.

The energy within the piece made a huge impact on the audience which progressed through out the piece. An atmosphere was created and I left the room feeling inspired, calm and content.

It was lovely to have the opportunity to speak to the artist after the presentation and have insight into the creating of the piece as well as ideas that are to follow and be apart of the piece.

Where next?

Mawson- Raffalt + Faulder- Mawson ) + ( = ao will be in Schloss Broellin, Germany in June!

Definitely worth experiencing and being apart of.

Thank you for coming to Dance4 and bringing lots of lovely smells with you!

Natalie

International Exchange Program Dance4 and Dance Ireland

Mawson-Raffalt + Faulder-Mawson

) + ( = a0

Research series: SILENCE + ACTIVITY

01-14 May 2011

By unfolding the “dynamic power of silence”, I feel as if seismographically drawn into the inner life of a polychrome landscape - exploring all human aspects of nature.....pushing boundaries to the point of suspending the moment .. breathing and holding the breath . opening and closing .. creating harmony and dissonance ... releasing and generating tension ... holding on ... letting go ... living ... dying...

This philosophical notion reflects the very foundation of existence and furthermore, reveals life’s poetic nature.

I understand dance as an abstract poetic language.

A language which allows a lot of space between its lines for the subjective.A language which does not trade narratives, but which rather communicates the possibility to experience complexity. A language that is firmly rooted in the deep and transcendental Experience of nature and silence.”

DANCE touches the sacred and embodies “a higher idea of being”. ) uM_R

We continued with building the space at the weekend and had 2 visitors who taught us something about sharing with nature .... 2 pigeons got in and when we shooshed them one found the way out again but the other hyperventilated and got into such a panic that it kept flying against the window so we decided to just let it be.........of course being a pigeon and not knowing any better it punished us by crapping everywhere at regular intervals.....after many hours wherein we could not do much except edit texts (which in itself proved very fruitful :) we asked Steph (of Dance4) how to get the door open and after a short time flying against the window the bird finally realised that the est way out was that huge one at the other end of the room _ having realised that it only took a further ten minutes to "sneak up" on it and slip through :) freedom it cried dropping one last load :)

but then at the end of the day

at the end of a veeeery long day

set 1 WEST NORTH WEST

..............................failed!!

image: video still from "it is the wave that cracks the wax" (theDock Carrick on Shannon) copyright mrplusfm

International Exchange Program Dance4 and Dance Ireland

Mawson-Raffalt + Faulder-Mawson

) + ( = a0

Research series: SILENCE + ACTIVITY

01-14 May 2011

Informal showing

Thursday 12^th MAY @ 7pm

Choreographic Installation Artist, Writer, Director, Dance & Performance Artist

URSULA MAWSON-RAFFALT, and Painter, Light, Sound, Video and Media Artist ANTHONY J. FAULDER-MAWSON continue their research series "SILENCE + ACTIVITY",

a collaborative cross- & interdisciplinary project that investigates the border territory between the disciplines, explores spatial relationships and also experiments with blurring the boundaries between performance, exhibition and lecture.

Different manifestations will take place between January and July 2011 in a series of European residency locations setting in motion a multitude of possibilities, variations, events and contexts.

During the Dance4 residency the artists will focus on the EXPERIENCE of an Art Environment, aiming “to give, inspire and transform”. Their research will continue with the development of their innovative, flexible, sustainable and economic model for research, production and presentation defining shifting modes of operation for interdisciplinary work.

Whilst working in the Dance4 studio, using their technical facilities and sharing the working space, the artists will concentrate on completing a processed cycle of work. In accordance with their multi layered and interwoven activities they will prepare, write, train, rehearse, build up and finally install a “sacred environment” in which the creative forces can flow freely.

A small audience will be invited to an informal presentation to experience intimacy, direct contact, (self) reflection and dialogue.

Through a process of abstract and complex thinking with the emphasis on transcending artistic boundaries the artists will pose critical questions about the function of the arts in the 21st Century and its artistic/contextual/economic challenges.

For example:

1) How can we contribute to a wider understanding of dance or painting and the making of art?

2) How can we refer to choreography as an artistic platform that can embrace different artistic backgrounds welcoming the challenge of multi disciplinary thinking along with a contextual exploration of new and innovative approaches to choreographic practice?

3) How can we open up to a critical dialogue which seeks to redefine (in the broadest terms) both choreography and painting as creative disciplines that are fully capable of reflecting the specific needs of the 21st century and which can be instrumental in promoting the further development of ephemeral works such as live performance art or light works?

4) How can we establish a level of understanding that can embrace free thinking and that can help make the work more accessible through a creative dialogue with the audience?

5) How can we engage the audience in the experience of familiarising the unfamiliar?

6) How can we create a flexible, creatively innovative and economic model for research, production and presentation?

7) How can we help to secure the future of experimental and innovative art?

Our INTENTION, therefore, is:

1. To physically explore and relate a new to the progression of multi dimensional and multi contextual works as a response to a new type of work and a new way of working which:

- although sometimes difficult to categorize is nonetheless important to the evolution of art and art-making

- is better equipped to deal with the specific needs of the 21st century

- can share the aesthetic of a profound, sustainable, economic, integral and philosophic identity.

2. To observe the shifting moods of an avant-garde work in meeting the challenge of assimilating the needs of new contexts

3. to explore a wider understanding of the inter/cross disciplinary approach guided by the principle that “interdisciplinarity” is “a defining characteristic of contemporary art practice” and “a necessary prerequisite for those artists who will shape the future of creative practice” (Wikipedia)

) + ( = a0 Research series /residency locations 2011:

February : Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Ire

March: Brunel University School of Arts, West London

April: Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Ire

May: Dance4, Nottingham, UK

June: Schloss Broellin, Germany

July: Chapter, Cardiff, UK/Wales

The research series is made possible through the generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland, the Drama Department /Brunel School of Arts London, Dance4, Dance Ireland, Schloss Broellin e.V., Chapter Arts Centre and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre.

the image: a still from the Cardiff variation of "ephemeral silence or the universe of D.A.N.T.E." copyright ) + ( = aO

and then finally...........................................

at the end of the day

at the very end of a very long day

set 1 north north east

...........................failed

but getting closer now..............................................................

) + ( = aO mawson-raffalt + faulder-mawson residency

day three: we have had the most constructive of days and have found our way round to a degree....

.........the thoughts form and the words multiply and then ...........................

at the end of the day

at the very end of a very long day

set 1 north north west.............................failed

we get so far and then the confusion sets in, one or the other will take the lead and take that wrong turning and then the other will take over, backtrack, and continue on........................

it is such a luxury to have continuous access to the workspace and to be free to just work that sometimes it is tempting to just "sit and think"

this image is a still from "ephemeral silence or the universe of D.A.N.T.E"

from the Danish variation performed in Kulturhus Aarhus.

) + ( = aO mawson-raffalt + faulder-mawson residency

day one _ (but don't get to expect this to happen every day :)

cracked getting from the digs to the space! _ but not the return journey

.............at the end of the day

at the end of a very long day

set 1 north west............................ failed

or fourteen ways of getting lost between dance four and "the park"

day two _

an excellent day preparing the room and training and working on new

material both written and movement......................then

.........................at the end of the day

at the end of a veeeery long day

set 2 north east.................... failed

the image is a video still from a performance of "triptych_it is time that prints on wax"

at the international theatre festival in Sibiu, Romania,

with thanks to the Arts Council of Ireland and Culture Ireland

a small p.s. here are some other links that lead to information about us :

http://www.mrplusfm.net

http://mrplusfm.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/mrplusfm/

http://www.dance-tech.net/profile/mawsonraffaltfauldermawson/

Internship May 2011: CAT Easter Intensive 2011 and so much more...

CAT Easter Intensive 2011 and so much more...

Through the eyes of your new intern...

Hello all!

As official intern of Dance4 as of April 2011 and I am very happy to voice my experience of Dance4 so far!

I am in my second week and am apart of the Dance4 team to 'share the love' for contemporary dance. Within my first week I have had the opportunity to watch work from students working with artists Gary Clark and Elaina as apart of the CAT Easter Intensive Programme held at Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham.

I was very impressed by the commitment shown from each student and while the sun lifted everyones spirits, it did not distract. Is was great to see students working together and using contact with other students at such a young age.

The students worked within two groups and produced a piece of work to present at the end of the programme. Gary Clarke's dancers used the artist Jackson Pollock as inspiration while Elena Zaino used a language of gestures as inspiration for her movement.

Having come into the showing as an outsider, it was clear to see the process that each choreographer and individual had been through as each piece progressed. Both performances were strong in the way that the dancers worked together and in the complexity of the movements produced. From brightly coloured wigs to using your voice within the piece both pieces pushed the boundaries of contemporary dance. It was lovely to see how much the students enjoyed the programme as well.

The programme proved to be a huge success and everyone left for Easter on a high!

Back in the office I am really enjoying working within a creative environment and am working hard on the Graduate Training Programme that is happening in Northampton on the 27th June.

The Graduate Training Programme is a definite must for artists and is going to brilliant! We are going to be working with Robert Clarke and you would not want to miss it. Follow the link to find out more:

http://www.dance4.co.uk/about-us/jobs/graduate-training-programme-2011/

Random pic...Can you imagine if this was true? See the picture below form the Tate Modern.

Howdy for now,

Natalie Duffield-Moore