proximity festival 2014 program guide
DESCRIPTION
The 2014 Proximity Festival is here - nine days of performances, workshops, masterclasses, discussions and celebrations. See one program of four works, or a marathon of all twelve. Now in its third year, Proximity Festival is Australia will transform the historic Fremantle Arts Centre from 22 October to 2 November 2014.TRANSCRIPT
Australia’s first one-on-one intimate performance festival
22 oct–2 nov 2014 fremantle arts centre
IN OCTOBER THE HISTORIC
FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE
WILL BE TRANSFORMED AT
NIGHT BY TWELVE INTIMATE
PERFORMANCES TAILOR-MADE
FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.
–
Now in its third year, Proximity Festival remains the only one-on-one performance platform of its kind in Australia. Nine days of experimental micro-performances, masterclasses, discussions and celebrations.
Breathe air from different ages on Earth, cut loose in a 60 second twerk, climb rooftops in search of love, sit behind the wheel with a learner driver and discover what memory tastes like.
This year’s Festival brings together artists from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to create twelve personalised experiences inviting you to reconsider what performance can be.
Schedule some alone time with us. We’ve built this Festival from the ground up with one person in mind – you.
Curated by Sarah Rowbottam and Kelli Mccluskey. Co-presented by Fremantle Arts Centre.
www.proximityfestival.com
“There is something very special about being an audience of one.” – REALTIME ARTS
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ANATOMY’S CONFECTION Cat Jones (NSW) A social surgery, a sculptor’s hand and a labour of love. Come with an open mind and leave with an intimate body of knowledge on the clitoris.
Is this for me? A curious conversation about human flesh for the anatomically playful.
TWERKSHOP Caroline Garcia (NSW) A cultural lesson behind an ass-shaking phenomenon. Learn and explore the possibilities of dancing only with your pelvis. In the last 60 seconds, prepare to twerk it.
Is this for me? For those who don’t mind getting a little physical. No dance experience necessary.
THE QUEUE Toyi-Toyi Theatre (WA) A playful subversion of the citizenship test questioning our beauty rich and rare. Take part in a series of provocative questions that will test your ‘Australianness’
Is this for me? For those who want to challenge national identity within their personal limits.
LEARNER Ian Sinclair (WA) Attaining your license is a rite of passage in WA. Assume the role of teacher and put your skills and patience to the test as you engage in an impractical-practical lesson around the parking lot. Help Ian get from L to P.
Is this for me? A joint effort tailor-made for all levels of driving experience. Zero blood alcohol required to teach.
program a
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TETHERWEIGHT (FOR ADRIAN HOWELLS) James Berlyn (WA) If you could un-hinge yourself from the joy and suffering in your life, would you? You’re invited to step back and take a moment to weigh up your personal highs and lows.
Is this for me? A gentle task that may come with heavy rewards.
THE FLORIOGRAPHER Alina Tang (WA) The language of flowers can be a powerful form of communication if you know their meaning. The Floriographer offers you a chance to reconsider who you would gift flowers to.
Is this for me? A sensory experience in an immersive installation. Contains flowers and pollen.
LET’S MAKE LOVE Jen Jamieson (WA) Sorry to be unromantic but love isn’t a feeling. It’s one of the chemical effects of the hormone oxytocin, which is easy to make. Let’s go on an adventure and see how much love we can muster.
Is this for me? A roving experience that could take you to high places. Tailor-made for all fear levels.
PERSONAL TRAINER Tanya Lee (WA) It’s time to get physical. Your up-close and personal trainer will take ‘working out’ to a whole new level of gym intimacy. We’ve got the outfit covered.
Is this for me? A collaborative exercise looking at the pitfalls of gym culture and fitness fads.
program b
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program cNATURAL SELECTION Loren Kronemyer (USA) Embedded in every living body is a history of those that came before it. Using handmade prosthetics, let’s speed up evolution and see what survival of the fittest feels like for those species left behind.
Is this for me? For those willing to experience the momentary loss of their evolutionary advantages.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF AIR, A PLANT’S DIARY Emily Parsons-Lord (NSW) Air permeates our bodies and connects us to the plants, the planet, and each other. Come on a guided tour through the air of different ages and places, and see how it has changed the course of history.
Is this for me? An insightful conversation about the natural world. You may want to take a deep breath.
SOMEWHERE YOU’VE BEEN BEFORE Hallie Shellam (VIC) Do you know what memory tastes like? Part forensic interview, part dramatic re-enactment, help discover the fate of a missing person by remembering an event that never actually happened.
Is this for me? A sensory experience for those with an appetite for making memories.
DANCE WITH ME Sylvia Rimat (UK) A surreal encounter with an unfamiliar guest. Let the voices guide your thoughts. You won’t be alone for long.
Is this for me? For those who don’t mind dancing with the untamed.
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party for 1SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER 6.30PM – LATE FREE - RSVP [email protected]
Join us for an opening party of one-off performances, sweet tunes and hidden surprises in the beautiful surrounds of the Fremantle Arts Centre. It’s a celebration worth gathering for. There will be cake.
Full program announced in October www.proximityfestival.com
opening celebration
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proximity symposiumSATURDAY 25 OCTOBER | 2–5PM | FREERSVP [email protected]
Twelve short, sharp manifestos and two panel sessions pulling apart participation. At this year’s Symposium, we’re bringing together key international and national thinkers and makers to cast a critical eye over the intricacies, ethics and future of one-on-one performance. Drop in for one session or stay all afternoon, and then get ready to party at the Opening Celebration in Fremantle Arts Centre’s courtyard!
keynote one minute manifestos Twelve artists, 60 seconds each. Not your traditional keynote, this year the Proximity Festival artists get personal, giving brutally honest insights about performing one-on-one. What’s in it for them and what’s in it for you? A lot can happen when you are alone in a room with a stranger.
session 1 is participation a dirty word? Dread, forced interaction, humiliation. How did participation get such a bad wrap? This session explores the intricacies and ethics of participation, and the delicate balance that needs be established between audience and performer so it doesn’t go horribly wrong.
session 2 what is the future of participation in a global context? Over the last ten years participatory practice has been quietly revolutionising. From physically intimate exchanges to digitally distributed encounters and mass participation, where is one-on-one performance heading and what is its relevance to now?
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SATURDAY 11 & SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER | 10AM – 5PM | $200 LED BY JULIE VULCAN AND JAMES BERLYN | PLACES LIMITED TO 20 ARTISTS TO REGISTER VISIT PROXIMITYFESTIVAL.COM/MASTERCLASS
What’s so exhilarating about creating one-on-one performance? For the first time, we’re offering a two-day masterclass led by Sydney-based artist Julie Vulcan and Proximity artist/co-founder James Berlyn. Learn the fundamentals of creating small-scale intimate performance, explore the ethical implications of one-on-one and experiment with making participatory experiences. This masterclass is designed for professional artists and tertiary students across all artforms (18 and over) who have an interest and desire to extend their practice into this rich area. No one-on-one or performance experience necessary.
JULIE VULCAN is an interdisciplinary artist, director and curator working across performance, installation and durational work. She has created and toured recent work to Festival of Live Art (VIC), Metro Arts (QLD), Performatorium (CAN), SPILL Festival (UK), Rapid Pulse (USA), and Exist-ence 5 (QLD). Between 2010-14 Julie was Associate Director & Artistic Director/CEO at PACT centre for emerging artists. She is currently an Australia Council Cultural Leadership recipient for Live Art practice and exchange, and one half of collaborative duo SQUIDSILO. www.julievulcan.net
JAMES BERLYN is an award-winning performer, maker and director with over 25 years experience in dance, theatre, community arts and education. His work is often small-scale, intimate and participatory. He has created and toured work to Ten Days on the Island (TAS), WOMAdelaide (SA), Sydney Festival (NSW), Perth Festival (WA), and Festival of Live Art (VIC). He is the instigator and a co-founder of Proximity Festival and a founding co-director of Tracksuit. www.jamesberlyn.com
proximity masterclass
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Curators Sarah Rowbottam and Kelli Mccluskey Producer Sarah Rowbottam Advisor/ Provocateur James Berlyn Provocateur Julie Vulcan Marketing Manager Thom Smyth Stage Manager Mary Wolfla Technical Manager Collin Best Curatorium Robert Cook (Art Gallery of WA), Jeff Khan (Performance Space), Leigh Robb (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts), Ric Spencer (Fremantle Arts Centre), Fiona Winning (Sydney Festival), David Williams (Australian Theatre Forum), and independent artists Martyn Coutts and Julie Vulcan.
Proximity Festival is the first platform in Australia dedicated to the creation and presentation of one-on-one intimate performances. As an artist-led initiative, we provide independent artists with an opportunity to take creative risk and make small-scale participatory performances that challenge the dynamics between audience and performer.
Curatorially Proximity Festival is not tied to a theme. This gives us freedom to create a program that organically complements and responds to the site. Each year we take over a venue in its entirety and invite emerging, mid-career and established practitioners from all disciplines to re-purpose the building and seek out alternative uses for hidden, forgotten or negative spaces.
Twelve artists are curated into the program annually and participate in a two-week residency Lab at the venue facilitated by the Proximity curators and guest provocateurs. The Proximity Lab encourages artists to step beyond their artform comfort zones and provides a space for skill sharing and experimentation prior to the performance season.
History
Proximity Festival is co-founded by James Berlyn, Sarah Rowbottam and Kelli Mccluskey.
2012 The Blue Room Theatre (Winner of Spirit of Fringe Award) 2013 Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts 2014 Fremantle Arts Centre
Want Proximity Festival to take over your venue?
Get in touch with Sarah Rowbottam Producer [email protected]
about us
proximity team
performancesWED 22 – SAT 25 OCT & WED 29 – SUN 2 NOV 2014 SESSIONS: 6.15PM, 7.30PM, 8.45PM
BOOKINGS $35 +BF FOUR PERFORMANCE PROGRAM (1 HOUR) $85 +BF MARATHON OF 12 PERFORMANCES (3 HR AND 45 MINS INCLUDING INTERVALS)
BUY TICKETS ONLINE AT FAC.ORG.AU OR IN PERSON AT FAC RECEPTION
ENQUIRIES: PHONE FAC (08) 9432 955 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON THE FESTIVAL VISIT WWW.PROXIMITYFESTIVAL.COM
masterclassSAT 11 & SUN 12 OCT | 10AM – 5PM | $200 LIMITED TO 20 ARTISTS | TO REGISTER VISIT PROXIMITYFESTIVAL.COM/MASTERCLASS
symposiumSAT 25 OCT | 2–5PM FREE | RSVP – [email protected]
opening celebration party for 1SAT 25 OCT | 6.30–10:30PM FREE | RSVP – [email protected]
ticketsSelect a program of four works lasting 60 minutes or a marathon of all 12 performances lasting just over three hours. Marathon sessions are limited to 15 across the season. Bookings are essential. Tickets are limited.
Conditions of entry: 18+ event. Please wear enclosed shoes. Fremantle Arts Centre is a heritage listed building with access limitations. If you have access needs, please call us before booking. Proximity Festival reserves the right to stop performances at any time for the health and safety of both artist and audience member.
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22 oct– 2 nov 2014 fremantle arts centre 12 ARTISTS 12 SPACES12 PERFORMANCES12 TIMES A NIGHT
James BerlynCaroline GarciaJen JamiesonCat JonesLoren KronemyerTanya LeeEmily Parsons-LordSylvia RimatHallie ShellamIan SinclairAlina TangToyi-Toyi Theatre
Proximity Festival is co-presented by Fremantle Arts Centre. Co-founded by James Berlyn, Sarah Rowbottam and Kelli Mccluskey.
Photos by Tarryn Gill
Proximity Festival www.proximityfestival.com [email protected]
Fremantle Arts Centre 1 Finnerty Street Fremantle www.fac.org.au | (08) 9432 9555
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
Fremantle Arts Centre is supported by the State Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts