How was the New York residency?

A typical day during the residency

Each day began with a themed breakfast. We artists then split to our respective research places. I was working with dancers, actors and a filmmaker in Gibney Studios. Every evening we all reconvened for group events including performances, guest speakers and art gallery visits. Back at our accommodation, there was always a homemade dessert and a card with questions for us to discuss waiting for us. We six artists eased into late night discussions exchanging about our day. The days were intense, but they flew by, as did the whole residency.

What we have in common

One criteria for the artists was that they have an LDS (Latter-Day Saint) background. The vision for the Center for Latter-Day Saint Arts is to be the cultural and artistic hub for Latter-Day Saints worldwide. LDS culture is less well known in Europe than in the US, so for me, it was a strong experience to exchange with other LDS artists. Our common ground facilitated solid discussions about artistic practice, inspiration and belief.

Collaboration borne out of shared curiosity

Perhaps the thing I enjoyed the most about the group of artists was how we all engaged on eye-level despite our different ages and stages of career. I felt the group shared a respectful and generous attitude towards each other. Although collaboration wasn't a named focus of the residency, each artist's openness and curiosity led to sharing practice during the residency.

One morning I joined Michelle Nixon (watercolourist) as she was painting in plein air. In contrast to my need of having bodies and a studio to work, Michelle could unpack her magic (self made) Mary Poppins-like box anywhere. For Michelle, watercolour is more of a life philosophy. She has to accept every stroke she makes, as she can not correct her choices later. This watercolour practice was, in part, borne out of having young children and limited time. Having this in common with Michelle, we definitely spoke the same langugage about juggling life, being a mother and an artist.

Justin Wheatley (visual artist) was curious about the physical journeys people make in NY to connect to their spiritual communities. He walked many of those journeys with local New Yorkers, collecting things he found on the way. As we walked to galleries together, he stopped to rip off stickers from lamp posts and take chunks of wood from rubbish bins. I enjoyed watching him imbue meaning into 'rubbish' from the street which he later transformed into art pieces.

I joined composer Dylan Findley (composer) by the Hudson River's Sisyphus Stones (his research involved visiting sites in the city that lent to reflection/commemoration). With the view of Manhattan in the distance and New Jersey across the river, we talked extensively about our respective practices. We had a natural understanding of the ephemeral nature of each others' artform (dance and music), which exist only in the moment they are performed (in contrast to writing or visual art).

Both writers, Isaac Richards and Darlene Young joined me in the studio, to observe my practice as a choreographer. I asked Darlene if we could choreograph to one of her poems. It was a treat to have the author of a text personally read her text as we embodied it. She was thrilled with the attention we paid to every syllable and punctuation point she'd used. Isaac later wrote a short piece about his observations in the studio.

On the last day, Darlene shared a fabulous poem, Everything - a painting of NYC. After 'One Among Many' a watercolour by Michelle Nixon. Darlene was inspired to write the poem after watching Michelle paint on the street. This was the beginning of us all thinking about future collaborations.

Our future plans for collaborations

In our last 'dessert discussion', we carved out a plan to continue collaborating. Isaac recorded a reading of Darlene's poem and Dylan is now responding musically to Darlene’s poem. Justin and Michelle will then respond with a visual image, which I will project onto a large wall and respond to with aerial dance choreography. Dylan and I will make simultaneous cross-Atlantic live performances in our respective home cities. This is just one of our many ideas for the future.

Collaborating feels like the natural continuation of having exchanged so much during the residency. I am grateful for having had the experience of a residency with such curious and kind humans, curated with so much care. Let's see where it leads us.