REPORT on ARTIST in RESIDENCY at ICD. Firkin Crane, Cork, IRELAND

Miriam King

1. What the Residency was:

The Institute for Choreography and Dance (icd) awarded Irish and International dance artists opportunities to undertake choreographic residencies at icd in 2003.

I was fortunate to be awarded one of these residencies which I carried out

intermittently through the year divided up into four individual one week periods. This unique opportunity provided me with studio space, technical back up, audio-visual equipment, resource materials and administrative support and the opportunity to explore my creative work processes. It was formative in nature where time and space was given for preliminary work in forming concepts and ideas.

2. What I did:

I proposed a residency in the area of DANCE and FILM, proposing a Research Project to research and develop the theme of the "small gesture/movement" linked to the moment of movement that happens after a period of "waiting".

WEEK ONE, April 2003 : Primarily this was a visit to make contact with ICD, meeting Sharon Sheehan, organise a provisional program of what I would do when I returned late Summer, see the facilities, and do something of a reccy on Cork. I took time to sort out accommodation for when I returned for the remaining three week periods throughout the Autumn. I met with Jo Nichols who organises an Older People into Dance group. Was also introduced to artist Collette Lewis. I had some time in the smaller studio to commence my movement practise and went out and about making observations of places where movement/steps have worn stone away and places where peoples touch has left a mark. Took many photos, became interested in the bridges of Cork and took a trip out to Blarney to visit the Blarney stone.

WEEK TWO, August 2003: During this week I researched old dance films and met with Mary Brady the director of ICD. Joined in with local dance artists in the twice vveekly open session of "professional exchanges". A friend, Henry came out to Cork to work with me. Did what I called "The Bridges Walk"... whereby we walked on opposite sides of seven bridges in Cork and passed only on the bridges. Took a trip out to The Gearagh to see a sunken forest of ancient Oak trees. Made a Super-8 fílm of this. Began my outdoor "Waiting" project, whereby I stood with a sign that stated clearly in large red letters the word "VVaiting" and I vvaited until I was asked why I was

waiting ... this led me on a slow choreographic pathway throughout the streets of Cork. Did the bridges walk again and made a Super-8 film of this as if it were a movement relay. I gave a public lecture/talk on Dance and Film ... showing some of my Dance for Camera Work as well as examples of other artists dance fílm work.

WEEK THREE, Sept 2003: I worked on ideas for my new Arts Council dance film commission, provisionally called "Fate" and researched origins of fate and destiny. Decided upon the name of "Atropos". Worked in the studio on the theme of pathways and imprints. I offered a dance/movement masterdass/vvorkshop in Butoh related dance to the general public and dance artists of Cork. Met with artist Collette Lewis who then came out with me with her video camera to document me on my "Waiting" project out in the streets of Cork. Became interested in the idea of doing a project on Holy wells of Ireland. Spent a lot of time researching and writing, as well as

moving/dancing in the studio. Took myself on a random walk of turning first left, first right, etc. for 15 minutes out into Cork, and then waiting where I found myself, and coming back into the studio and writing and dancing on the experience. Concluded the week and made plans for my return visit.

WEEK FOUR, Oct 2003: Documentary dance film-maker, Becky Edmunds, came out from England to share the time and space with me. Took time and space for discussions/ideas/inspirations. This was also Cork Film Festival week, and we saw many inspiring films. Becky transferred some of my Super-8 fílms onto digital and VHS for me. I took time to write up all my notes and ideas. Put together a VHS tape of movement ideas/studies that I had researched. Put together a book of photos, drawings, writings of my research time and themes. I shared work in progress and invited a small group of dancers/artists from Cork to join me in sharing/concluding my research process.

3. Conclusion:

The clear outcome of my Residency Programme was to

a) bring my knowledge of screen based dance to Cork.

b) establish creative contacts with ICD and artists in Cork.

c) progress my abilities as a Dance Film-maker (choreographer and director).

d) give me time and space to develop a new project in a new place.

e) although "product" vvas not the aim of my residency, I was happy to create the beginnings of a new short Dance Film distilled from movement/spontaneous moments of dance that happen within the outside world of the everyday.

What I received from thís residency....

1. EXPLORATION TIME

2. DISCOVERY TIME

3. SPACETODREAM

4. OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE/SHARE IDEAS

Play, communication, focus.

It was SO GOOD to have a lovely clear big studio space to come into ... thinking time, imagining time, dreaming time. Focus time ... To be in the large studio space and discover/ find what emerges. An empty space which is full of possibilities. Discover...to uncover what is waiting there.

This residency provided me with the opportunity to explore my creative work

processes, and the invaluable opportunity to invite other artists to work with me. Carrying out the residency intermittently through the year gave me time to expand and work with the ideas. It was formative in nature where time and space was given for preliminary work in forming concepts and ideas.

Since returning l have completed with Simon Wilkinson my new dance for camera film ATROPOS which premiered at the ICA in London in February this year, as part of Arts Council Capture3. I wish to continue with my "Waiting" project, taking this to many more cities. I hope to continue contact with the dance artists that I met whilst in Cork and to return to Ireland to do a project in connection with the Holy wells.

Miriam King