‘ENSEMBLE’ /(Together)
I’m excited to announce I will be working on a new project, the research and outreach for which is planned fromApril to September 2024.
This is an artistic project that will combine dance, sound and visual arts. It investigates ‘migrant joy’ in the context of solidarity amidst racial inequalities. The research has evolved from written research that I did as part of an MA in Arts Policy and Management. My essay titled, ‘Networking Nuances, Analysing Systemic Racism in the Arts’ won the Lorraine Lim runner up award for it’s contribution to cultural studies. It was written as an autoethnography that helped me understand the power of solidarity despite the racist encounters I had suffered. This is how the concept for this performative work arose and I wanted to use a combination of art forms to reach a wider audience. Developing on my initial ideas, I want to explore the subject with a diverse engagement of people both with and without migration experiences to reflect on the value of solidarity and advocate for this so that the migrant story can be one of more joy and less strife.
I have explored the theme of migration in my solo ‘Her Song’ presented as part of the Home Away from Home exhibition curated by Manifold Space at House of Annetta last summer (July 2023). More recently I was involved in the project ‘Home is a Cloud’ that approaches the positive reflection of carrying home with you as a migrant, performed as a visual, sound and movement piece in Swiss Church (January 2024). These performative experiences inform the further development of ideas on the subject of migration and I want to explore this in connection with solidarity as a piece performed with 2 movement/visual artists and a live musician on stage focusing on the elements of dance, art and music in relaying an abstracted narrative. The R&D will cover two weeks of studio research at Centre 151, with 2 open rehearsals and a sharing for local audiences. There is will also be a total of 6 open workshops in movement, art and sound at Centre 151, House of Annetta and Chisenhale Dance Space.
Video and photo documentation of the research sharing and workshops will take place and there will be BSL interpretation during the sharing. Footage collected will be shared on my website and social media channels.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
COLLABORATORS
ARTUR VIDAL
Artur M. Vidal is a London-based and Spanish-born saxophone player who grew up in Paris where he studied music, philosophy, and history of Art. His work involves field recordings, sound walks, dance, and improvisation. He has been doing academic research on improvised music and environmental sounds and has become a certified teacher of Pauline Oliveros’s Deep Listening practice. He has published two collections of text scores: The Hum in the Valley (2021) and Friendly Algorithms (2018). www.arturvidal.com
MARSO RIVIERE
Marso is the founder of Company Decalage, GalleryMarso and “KRE8!Lab”. He produces eclectic and inter-disciplinary works rooted to Hip Hop culture. His track record as a performer, producer, workshop leader, mentor, award winning choreographer and photographer is rich with amazing collaborations and achievements.
In the last 20 years he has established himself as a major force in both the contemporary dance, and Breakin’ (Breakdance) worlds. He has created numerous touring works for Company Decalage and independently been commissioned by Carlos Acosta for Acosta Danza, Sharleen Spiteri (Texas), Sampad, The
Royal Academy of Dance, Birmingham Hippodrome, People Dancing, Dancexchange, Birmingham International
Dance Festival, The Place Prize, Breakin Convention, The Cultural Olympiad, The Aurora Orchestra, King’s Cross
NC1, Danza Contemporenea De Cuba, The British Council and Hong Kong APA. www.marsoriviere.com
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
We welcome you to join us in the following workshops and special events:
Movement/Sound workshops at Centre 151
12th May (Sun) 10-11.15 Vanessa Mirza
19th May(Sun) 10.11.15 Vanessa Mirza
28th May(Tue) 10-11.15 Ensemble artists |11.30-12.30 Open rehearsal
29th May(Wed) 3.30-4.30 Open rehearsal |4.30-5.30 Sonic Meditations by Artur Vidal
31st May (Fri) 7.30-8.30pm Sharing & Feedback session
Book via eventbrite HERE
Venue Information-https://www.centre151.com/
Chisenhale Dance Space
A relaxed evening of movement and art as part of R & D for Ensemble (Together) facilitated by Vanessa Maria Mirza and supported by Arts Council England.
An improvisation based workshop combining dance and painting that explores stories of solidarity in the context of migration, displacement, conflict, integration and a time of reflection upon shared lived experiences. The research is part of a multidisciplinary project fusing the body/text/sound and visual imagery.
The workshop is open to participants of all levels of experience and abilities and BSL interpretation will be available. Some art materials will be available but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. Those who would just like to observe are welcome to attend as well.
Venue information- https://www.chisenhaledancespace.co.uk/about/visit/
Book via eventbrite HERE
House of Annetta
30th May 7PM-9PM
At House of Annetta, there will be a talk, an exhibition of artwork made through the research and a workshop on art and movement in exploring embodiments of solidarity.
Venue information: https://houseofannetta.org/About
Book via eventbrite HERE
We are looking to fundraise privately for a small measure for this phase of the project and in the future. If you would like to make a contribution please use the paypal link before. For patrons who would require an alternate means please send in a request to vanessamirzacreations@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!
