May 29–June 4, 2017
Block Universe, London's annual international performance art festival, is back for the third year running, from May 29 to June 4, 2017, presenting newly commissioned, site-specific performances and UK premieres alongside a public programme of talks, workshops and film screenings.
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 champions work that questions the status quo in divisive times.
The week long programme will present work by some of the most exciting UK-based and international artists working with performance today. Audiences will experience Liz Magic Laser’s political therapy workshops at The Showroom, a performative dinner by lşıl Eğrikavuk, Nicole Bachmann’s new commission examining the relationship between language, voice and power, Eglė Budvytytė’s mobile performance disrupting public space and Young In Hong will work with the choreography of protest at the Royal Academy of Arts through an open source participatory performance. Rory Pilgrim's new commission explores sci-fi robotic support systems of care, Stina Nyberg's visually described choreography questions historic Swedish physical ideals and Will Rawls questions the audience with a subversive Q&A in a grade-II-listed site. Zadie Xa will create a unique immersive environment at Somerset House whilst at Space Studios we will premiere a first-time collaboration between Kim Coleman, Zoë Poluch and Cara Tolmie.
Public Programme
The public programme will present artist talks with Zadie Xa and Işıl Eğrikavuk, workshops with Florence Peake and Stina Nyberg and a special film screening at Hackney Picturehouse. For more information on the programme and to purchase tickets visit: www.blockuniverse.co.uk.
Monday, May 29
2pm and 4pm: Liz Magic Laser, Political Therapy. The Showroom, 63 Penfold Street, London NW8 8PQ
4pm and 8pm: Stina Nyberg, Shapes of States. The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, London W11 2AY
Tuesday, May 30
2pm: The Mechanical Body workshop by Stina Nyberg. Siobhan Davies Studios, 85 St George's Rd, London SE1 6ER
8pm: Işıl Eğrikavuk, Pluto’s Kitchen. The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
9:30pm: Artist Talk, Writer Chris McCormack in conversation with Işıl Eğrikavuk, post-performance
Wednesday, May 31
7:30pm: Will Rawls, Q&A. The Asylum, Caroline Garden’s Chapel, Peckham, London SE15 2SQ
Thursday, June 1
10:30am: Movement Workshop by Florence Peake. Chisenhale Dance Space, 64-84 Chisenhale Rd, London E3 5QZ
7pm: Zadie Xa, Crash, Boom, Hisssssss. Legend of the Liquid Sword. Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Rooms, Strand, London WC2R 1LA (entrance from Lancaster Place)
Friday, June 2
1pm: Artist Talk, curator Chandra Frank in conversation with Zadie Xa, moderated by Victor Wang. Somerset House, Lancaster Room, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
7pm: Nicole Bachmann, I don’t want your whispers. Kachette, 347 Old Street, London EC1V 9LP
9pm: Block Universe Festival Party, Kachette, 347 Old Street, London EC1V 9LP
Saturday, 3 June
3pm: Rory Pilgrim, Software Garden. The Light, Friends House, 173–177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
8pm: Kim Coleman, Zoë Poluch and Cara Tolmie, Aphelion Slip. SPACE, 129 – 131 Mare Street, Hackney E8 3RH
Sunday, 4 June
12pm: Eglė Budvytytė, Choreography for the Running Male. Map of the route available on blockuniverse.co.uk
3pm and 3:40pm, duration 15 minutes: Young In Hong, 5100: Pentagon. Courtyard, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD
7pm: Film Screening. SPACE Art + Technology, The White Building, London E9 5EN.
For further information and images:
Camille Regli or Cecilia Vilela at Pickles PR
T +44 (0)78 352 237 292 or T +44 (0)7449 872 799
E camille@picklespr.com or cecilia@picklespr.com
Or contact Block Universe at info@blockuniverse.co.uk
