Rambert Dance Company. Perpetual Movement

About

By encouraging and facilitating the interaction of contemporary artists with the world of dance, the national dance company, Rambert has been at the forefront of cross-disciplinary dialogue throughout its illustrious history. ‘Perpetual Movement’ is an exhibition showcasing the relationship between contemporary dance and contemporary art by celebrating Rambert’s 90th anniversary through four international artists working in a range of mediums, each responding differently to the inspiration of contemporary dance, alongside a carefully curated selection of objects, footage and costumes from Rambert’s archive.

Internationally renowned artist Goshka Macuga presents a performative installation piece echoing the physicality, bodily limits and repetition in the work of both professional dancers and the figures depicted so typically in Lowry’s works. A true cross-disciplinary work itself, this new piece in collaboration with David Roberts Art Foundation combines music, costume, performance, choreography and art. Berlin based Michaela Zimmer, however, adopts the performance aspect herself, creating gestural canvas works where the paint strokes demonstrate her physical limits whilst the draped, curtain-like film layers allude to tension and movement as the light reflects and shifts as the audience navigates the works.

Sheffield based digital artist Leila Johnston adopts yet another approach to the themes of movement, duration, physicality and performance demonstrated by Rambert. Using both standard and heat mapping filming techniques, Leila has created an immersive LED installation of spectacle and movement – both in the dancers she filmed and the way in which the audience is encouraged to experience the work. In contrast to this lively work is a serene, sculptural candle installation by Katie Paterson which will be lit as the finale to Perpetual Movement, alluding to notions of duration, performance and collaboration. As Katie’s candle piece burns through its 23 layers, it unveils a series of odours detected by scientists as existing in various positions in space; from a rusty penny to burnt almond cookie.