Site specific analysis and companies
Research/script - Artichoke company
1
Site specific
performance initially influenced by site specific art which emerged in late
1960s - it grew interest and appeal to audiences primarily because of novelty
of form and viewing experience - original, new that is more available to
everyone
Site spec art -
form of art created to exist in certain space, working with environment and
space of location ~ wanted to take art out of unnatural, showy/flashy galleries
to outdoor and indoor venues
As performance grew through too, ability to manipulate space however liked
- traditional theatre limited, predetermined dimensions etc. site specific only
limited by space/dimensions of site itself, more flexibility ~ field, abandoned
warehouse, difference experiences of space
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Audience are vital element of site specific - allows them to become much more involved than possible in traditional theatres it really destroys fourth wall, and no large separation between them and performers/production. Equal importance as no hierarchy e.g ordinary citizens and elite members etc
They have their own role, not just a spectator - socially involved- energy between audience and performers
can create it - can influence direction/outcome
More intimate experience, can really envision performance -- Trace and
Flight by sirens crossing 2000 - involved performance in location of cemetery,
where 4 dancers travelled up stairways and arriving onto roof terrace with
audience following
Type of audience that accesses depends also on site location and type of site e.g Kneehigh theatre performed Hell’s Mouth in clay district of Cornwall, poor area, broader section of community
Also on finance - The Lion’s part company is free to access and financially
3
UK based
organisation Established in 2005 by Helen Marriage and Nicky Web
Charity that Work
with various artists to invade public spaces and put on larger than life events
- large scale that appeal to widest possible audience. Believe art shouldn’t be
only in theatres/galleries - streets, public places, countryside
Rely on grants,
donations and sponsors for funding events - donor scheme artichoke hearts -
rarely ticket events
Makes locations
used more appreciated, memorable from events held - fresh perspective of place
Many events
strongly linked to places in which they are produced e.g Crown Of Light in
Lumiere festival was made for Durham’s Cathedral - Lumiere involves
illuminating sites to show new fresh new appreciation
Another way
artichoke does this is setting in a different context to show new appreciation
e.g
The Sultan’s elephant in 2006 attracted one million people
The artist Royal De Luxe a European street theatre company, produced a
time travelling elephant joined by a little girl giant on a 4 day period going
around major landmarks in London
Heavy interaction between audience and performance - spraying water,
walking alongside, child swinging on arm
times in video to show:
8.40, 2.56, 7.20
Peace camp in2012 were live installations - different locations on coast
(Cornwall, Isle of Lewis, Sussex cliffs) of glowing, murmuring encampments
-coming into works at night, lots of tents that audience could walk through and
around and listen
Explored love poetry - soundscape of poems
Celebrated variety and beauty of our coastline/ - back to appreciation
Diff between
elephant and peace camp
Elephant -
performance -peace camp -- installation art
Shows variety of
projects - peace camp still involvement of audience as they are freely allowed
to enter the space and get up close and listen to the sounds produced
4
Just because
performance is put in site specific, doesn’t mean it will automatically achieve
deeper connection with audience and understanding of production
Site specific is
broad - Wrights & Sites created 3 terms = sympathetic (existing performances in
selected location), generic(generic site that can be remodelled elsewhere) ,
specific(doesn’t travel, only works for exact location or loses connection)
Site specific discussion
Site specific continued
My presentation - Artichoke
Welfare State International
Welfare state international was a company that was founded in 1968 by John Fox, Sue Jill and others. The company would put on eye-catching events mainly outdoors on a large scale. The act of taking art and theatre out of it's traditional settings and into the public was the start of a new style of expressing all arts.Welfare state gives itself to all equally. Different types of site-specific theatre was created by a variety of people from engineers and sculptors to musicians and performers. One project that was held in July 2006 was 'July Picnic'. It was held on WSI's newest venue which was an ampitheatre in the fields outside of Ulverston. Public workshops were held throughout the day, which involved making puppets, songs, drumming and body percussion.Many performances were held such as the dragon's tale and the day ended with a show of fireworks.
London Bubble Company
London Bubble Theatre Company was established in 1972, which heavily involves the community to create theatre. One of their projects 'Speech bubbles', supports children in developing their skills in communication, confidence and wellbeing. After researching into children's level of skills when entering school, statistics showed many children (as much as half) often have communication problems, whether it's through speech or language skills. Taking their sessions to many schools, these would would centre around the individual children and put them in stories, where they would switch between becoming the author of the story, characters in the story and also audience. 87% of children who participated in these sessions had improved in their learning, speaking and listening.
Punch Drunk
Beginning in 2000, Punch drunk combines classical text, performance, design installation and unique choices of location/site.The equal focus on all aspects of the production including the space, the audience, the narration and performers gives a new dynamic approach to theatre and arts. The use of deserted sites and adding a theatrical/cinematic style on it, fully immerses the audience into the experience.The audiences' freedom to roam and explore the area to discover different forms of performances displayed.
Emergency Exit Arts
Emergency Exit Arts is and organization that was founded in 1980, bringing collaborative outdoor arts to many festivals. They create site-specific and touring works, often cultural, involved with the community and interactive to the public. A past show includes 'Arena', which was and outdoor installation involving acrobatics, dancers, giant mechanical creatures, a sculptural tree and video screens. The audience were able to walk through these and observe from different perspectives in the enclosed circular space it was held.
Bodies in Urban Spaces
Created by Willi Dormer, Bodies in Urban Spaces first premiered in 2007. The company explores restricted movement possibilities, limitations and rules. The use of performers (bodies) being placed in unusual places in an often tight form, generate responses and thinking processes from passers by. The performed trail the audience to selected parts of the public, and temporarily creating a chain of intervention. This gives the public a different perspective of the space at a fast moving speed.
What do the companies have in common?
All these companies largely focus on their audiences, and making it a necessity to include them within the performances and installations.
What is different?
While some companies such as Artichoke and Punchdrunk mainly aims are to wow, interest and excite the audience into an innovative experience, other companies such as London Bubble Company also fully interact with the audience and evolve the performance around them.
Which company are you most drawn to?
I'm most drawn to Artichoke as I am fascinated how they re-introduce locations and sites with spectacular installations and performances, to shine a new light and a new appreciation for the area.
What is most surprising to the work you have discovered through research?
London Bubble in particular have really impacted the community in a useful and positive way. Such as the Speech bubble sessions, children's learning and speaking skills had improved massively.
