This improvisation and composition class will centre around temporality, looking into the phenomena and experience of time and its components, in particular rhythm. We will explore some of the multiple clocks and rhythms that exist within our body and in nature, harnessing a polyphony of textures and tunes to play with and enliven. Looking at time as the measure of change we will play with duration, speed, amplification, repetition, accent, finding our relationship to rhythm and opening up our dancing to the contraction and expansion of temporalities.
“We are surrounded by the heartbeat of our mother for nine months. Then comes the rhythm of our own heartbeat, the repetitive lullabies, the rocking to sleep, walking, running, music, dancing, the ticking of clocks, day following night over and over and over … Rhythm runs through everything”
Peggy Seeger
For safety, we would like to encourage everyone to take a Covid-19 lateral flow test before attending. The studio will also be well-ventilated even in colder weather – please bring extra layers for warmth. Siobhan Davies Studios current risk assessment and policy is available to read here.
Sophie Arstall is a London-based performer, maker and facilitator. Working for choreographers in the UK and abroad including Hagit Yakira, Rosemary Lee, Protein Dance, Candoco Dance Company, Stacked Wonky, Vanessa Grasse, Annie Hanauer, Mirjam Gurtner, Ingrid Fiksdal, Willi Dorner, Tony Mira, Ben Wright, Charlie Morrissey, in a variety of performance settings. She also makes her own work, both solo and collaborative, creating diverse choreographies for film and live performance. Commissions include work for The Horniman Museum, South Bank Centre, Trinity Laban and Channel 4.
Her practice is influenced by specific systems such as Body Mind Centering, Tai Chi and Qi Gong principles, study of anatomy and physiology and working outdoors in nature. This lays the foundation to work with a continually evolving palette and sensibility, whilst delving into recurring themes of materiality, craftsmanship and ritual.