Block Universe

About

Block Universe, London's international performance art festival, is back for the third year running, from 29 May to 4 June 2017, presenting five newly commissioned and site-specific performances, four UK premieres as well as exclusive talks and workshops.

Taking over different venues across London, the week long programme will present work by some of the most exciting UK-based and international artists working in performance art today: Eglė Budvytytė’s disruption of public space; a performative dinner by lşıl Eğrikavuk; Liz Magic Laser’s political therapy workshops at the Showroom; Nicole Bachmann’s new commission examining the relationship between language, voice and power; Rory Pilgrim's performance exploring sci-fi robotic support systems of care; Stina Nyberg's choreography questioning historic Swedish physical ideals accompanied by audio description; whilst Will Rawls will lead a subversive Q&A in a grade-II-listed site; Young In Hong will work with the choreography of protest at the Royal Academy of Arts; Zadie Xa will create an immersive environment at Somerset House and audiences will experience a first-time collaboration between Kim Coleman, Zoë Poluch and Cara Tolmie.

This year’s festival theme will address notions of nationhood, inclusivity and identity politics set against a changing socio-political landscape. Looking at networked communities and the power of collective voices, Block Universe will champion work that questions the status quo in divisive times. 

Louise O’Kelly, Founding Director of Block Universe, says: 
“As Block Universe enters its third edition, it has been a pleasure to see what a vital platform the festival has proven to be in such a short space of time for both artists working in this medium and for audiences to experience exciting, relevant new work. The festival has proven to be a real incubator for emerging talent and we hope to continue to support artists in making ambitious new works and increasing visibility of performance practices from UK-based artists within an international context. We have a truly exciting line-up this year with ambitious new commissions and premieres that are pushing the boundaries of cutting edge performance art today.” 

The full programme of this year’s festival: 

Monday 29 May 
Liz Magic Laser // Political Therapy – a workshop led by drama therapist Louise Platt 
2pm and 4pm 
The Showroom, 63 Penfold Street, London NW8 8PQ  

Stina Nyberg // Shapes of States (*UK premiere)
4pm and 8pm
The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, London W11 2AY

Tuesday 30 May
Işıl Eğrikavuk // Pluto’s Kitchen (*New commission)
8pm
Private venue (full location details will be sent to ticket holders)

Wednesday 31 May
Will Rawls // Q&A (*UK premiere)
7.30 pm 
The Asylum, Caroline Garden’s Chapel, Peckham, London SE15 2SQ

Işıl Eğrikavuk // Pluto’s Kitchen (*New commission)
8pm
Private venue (full location details will be sent to ticket holders)

Thursday 1 June 
Zadie Xa // Crash, Boom, Hisssssss. Legend of the Liquid Sword (*New commission)
7pm
Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Rooms, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

Friday 2 June 
Nicole Bachmann // I don’t want your whispers  (*New commission)
7pm
Kachette, 347 Old Street, London EC1V 9LP

Saturday 3 June
Rory Pilgrim // Software Garden (*New commission)
3pm
The Light, Friends House, 173–177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ

Kim Coleman, Zoë Poluch and Cara Tolmie // Aphelion Slip (*New commission)
8pm
SPACE, 129 – 131 Mare Street, Hackney E8 3RH

Sunday 4 June
Eglė Budvytytė // Choreography for the Running Male (*UK premiere)
12pm
Around town

Young In Hong // 5100: Pentagon (*UK premiere)
3pm
Annenberg Courtyard, Royal Academy of Arts, London W1J 0BD