/GLITCH

FESTIVAL 2017
Sedimentary Structures – Traces of the Live Event
2 May – 10 June

OPENING MAY 13TH 6PM

Curated by Matthew Nevin & Ciara Scanlan of MART.
Assistant Curator: Deirdre Morrissey

INSTALLATION BY CATHY COUGHLAN

DANCERS | AILISH CLAFFEY | LAURA MURPHY

TITLE | REMOTELY HUMAN

How do we establish connectedness in an era of ‘post truth’?

Returning to the artist’s investigation of the body on screen, this large scale installation will ask the viewer to become responsive and physically involved in the work. By exploring the screen as a third party in a relationship between two people, or between the public and private self, the piece looks at ways of breaking down this vast digital space, by situating the audience at the centre of the work. (70 words)

Life sized dancers are projected into a purpose built space, seeking to establish a new definition of physical intimacy between the remote human and the physical grounded viewer. 

Feat. David Beattie, Livestock, Cliona Harmey, Robin Prince, David Lunney, Richard Forrest, Cathy Coughlan and Cécile Babiole.

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ARTS AND HEALTH | TALLAGHT HOSPITAL RESIDENCY | DANCE FOR PARKINSONS @ DANCE HOUSE

ONGOING

Parkinson’s disease (PD), is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects muscle control, balance, and coordination, among other things. Mark Morris have developed the first training available to dance teachers to work with those with Parkinsons Disease. It has been a huge success worldwide and the benefits are overwhelming as more and more research is being conducted and information is becoming more readily available. I have seen it myself firsthand, participating in Dance for Parkinsons classes at The Mark Morris Dance Studios in Brooklyn during my training.

Chatting with participants afterwards was a great insight to how treasured, unique and appreciated the classes are for participants, their spouses, families and carers alike. Following the success of the initial 6 week pilot programme, kindly supported by Dance Ireland classes will resume once I return from maternity leave. Dance classes are of great benefit for people with Parkinson’s disease, their caregivers, spouses and partners as a way of temporarily easing the isolation, frustrations, and impairments of the disease.

The rigorous dance class is delivered to a level of excellence. It integrates movement from contemporary, tap, jazz and ballet techniques to stretch arms, strengthen legs, engage minds and stimulate imaginations. Throughout the class, there is no mention of the disease or symptoms thus participants think of themselves as dancers not patients. The participants condition is acknowledged but it is not the sole focus of the class, thus allowing a sense of dignity and empowerment. This class is powerful in helping participants regain physical confidence in their own bodies.

Contemporary and classical dance techniques have a progressive sequential structure and emphasis is placed on qualitative control, effort, balance, coordination, expressive range and sensitivity to music. All of these elements are particularly effective in helping people with Parkinson’s regain a sense of grace and control.

The dance class provides a safe environment for playing and working with challenges which maybe physical, cognitive, creative or artistic but all of which are enjoyable and fun. Pure exercise classes can be monotonous and participants may find it difficult to maintain motivation to attend and participate whereas a dance class is a much richer experience as it involves the whole being. The benefits of dance class spill over into everyday life for participants – it becomes second nature to be aware of posture, position and rhythmic movement whether in class or in the shopping centre. One of the many benefits of dance class is giving participants a movement vocabulary and quality that can help him/her deal with the challenges of daily life with greater confidence. Eg. how to find a solution and way of moving if you freeze at a traffic light etc.

Quote from Mark Morris website: “dance lives within – and there is always a way of bringing it to light”

Ailish has completed the Teacher Training Programme with the Mark Morris Dance Company in Brooklyn in addition to Continued Professional Development with Dance for Parkinson’s Network UK and the Network Steering Group. Ailish is grateful for ongoing support from David Leventhal, Programme Director, Dance for PD.

SEE O | BSERVATIONS FOR EXAMPLES OF THIS WORK.