OVERVIEW
2005 is the second year for square zero, an artist-driven event that aims to create a platform for independent dance and to explore interdisciplinary collaboration. After an incredibly successful first edition in June 2004, collective (gulp) dance projects is proposing something altogether different for SQUARE ZERO — The Second Edition.
memories of SQUARE ZERO - the second edition
The latest version (2.0) of square zero, collective (gulp) dance projects' “evolving platform for independent dance and interdisciplinary art” hosted at La Nouvelle Scène, August 22-27, 2005 was an experiment in creation and collaboration between 12+ artists from Ottawa, Toronto, British Columbia, Belgium and the UK. more
Blending performance, installation, video and sound, this year's square zero was a residency for the artists to generate performance and installation material around the theme of “documentation”. Having discussed some thematic ideas on-line, the artists hit the ground running Monday morning and put together several installations (including the interactive “Wall of Evidence” and a full-length performance which were presented to an audience for the first time on Thursday evening.
A few images & recollections from the week...
A roll of paper crinkled by the wheel of a motorized scooter; a choreographed dance (with unison!); hundreds of specimen tags, baggies and tape; treasures and detritus; reconstruction of a dance; flying white discs; a dance remembered and then fictionalized; lots of talking; scenes written on cue-cards and shuffled, and shuffled again; multiple inputs; five lighting boards; scars and memories; a space where nothing was documented; forgetting to document; digital cameras, card readers, jump drives, tapes; the ladder against the window, light shining through the plastic bags; passersby stopping to look; the marquis, duets on cement in the lobby, shadows on the wall; hand biting, neck biting, rolling on the floor; and more, and more... choosing what would work, what wouldn't, fighting time and fatigue, paying attention to the whole and the details; authorship and collaboration.
The graciousness and professionalism of the team at La Nouvelle Scène and the excellent venue they put at our disposal contributed enormously to the success of the event. Nous vous remercions pour tout.
collective (gulp) dance projects would like to thank the participating artists, and everyone who attended, volunteered, donated or otherwise supported SQUARE ZERO - the second edition. Once again we were deeply touched by the generosity we received. We would also like to thank our funders, the City of Ottawa and the Ontario Arts Council for supporting this kind of experimental, interdisciplinary work. Read the blog / check out images
back to collective (gulp) site
Artistic co-directors: Alexis Kate Andrew & Elizabeth MacKinnon
Technical director: Stuart Baulch
Communications: Nina La Chapelle
Photos: complicity theory
