PLAINSONG (2009-10)
Created by Nikki Tomlinson and cellist Hannah Marshall, Plainsong was based on a shared score and composed in real time, with each performance building on our memories of the last while responding to its new site.
Plainsong references the simple lines of plainchant and two paintings; a grid-like abstract work by Juan Uslé, 'Soñé que revelabas (Inquieto)', meaning 'I dreamed you were revealed'and The Water Carrier by Goya.
The movement is almost entirely in profile to the audience, shunting backwards and forwards as though the body is scanning the space, never quite stopping, but looping like a swimmer from wall to wall. The sound is also composed in real time, within a structure that allows us to be influenced by each other, or deliberately counter one other.
Plainsong was made during a residency at La Caldera Barcelona, at Clarence Mews, Hackney and through mentoring with Rosemary Butcher on Independent Dance's Critical Pathways project.
Performed at Christ Church Spitalfields, London (2010) and at Clarence Mews' Moving Architecture weekend, London (2009); Arcola Theatre, London (2009); Siobhan Davies Studios, London (2009) in the programme From Morning, curated by Florence Peake at Christ Church Spitalfields. For this, three versions were performed; at 9am, midday and dusk, alongside works by Katye Coe, Florence Peake & Sally Dean, and Joe Moran.
"a beautiful performance... time disappeared" Mildred Rimbaud
"such mesmerising time and attention, the resonance between the strings and your body, resonance through the space and light but also across time and memory. I was absorbed and moved" Theron Schmidt
Plainsong by Nikki Tomlinson with Hannah Marshall, videography by Ashley Briggs
Images : Colour stills from video documentation by Carrie Mueller at Clarence Mews, black and white photographs by Joe Green, photos at Christchurch Spitalfields by Ashley Briggs