In these sessions, Matthias will share his interest in working with momentum and perception at the same time in dance practice: inviting a setting in motion of not only our mass but also our ways of knowing, sensing and relating. You will work with score-based materials that activate, taking a reading of our experience while/as dancing, drawing on influences including Deborah Hay’s orientation toward ‘learning without thinking’ from ‘my whole body as my teacher’.
Some of the materials will take pleasure in working with loosely repeating or rhythmic motion as a generative form, some also include potentials for working in contact with others. The materials offer specific and multi-layered parameters, and the invitation is for you to unfurl your own curiosities and appetites through them. Matthias is interested in a space where our different and always-evolving personal practices are nourished by dancing in each other’s company, each taking and giving space for getting what we might need that day.
Free classes for Recent Graduates
On Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June, we are offering 10 free Morning Class spaces for recent Graduates. After class, you are invited to join us in the parlour where we can chat over a cup of tea, learn more about you and your practice and share more about Independent Dance and the work we do. Places are free, available on a first come first served basis and for anyone who has graduated from a BA or MA programme within the last 3 years.
Matthias Sperling (he/him) is a Canadian/German artist, choreographer and performer living and working in London since 1997. His work includes creating performances in theatre, gallery and museum contexts, as well as extending to curatorial work and scientific research collaborations. His work has been presented at Sadler’s Wells, Tate Modern, Southbank Centre, Royal Opera House, Wellcome Collection, Dance Umbrella and Nottdance, among others. He has been a frequent collaborator with Siobhan Davies Dance, an Associate Artist with Dance4 and a Sadler’s Wells Summer University Artist. He created an adaptation of a solo choreographic score by Deborah Hay, and has created commissions for Candoco Dance Company and Weld Company among others. He completed his artistic doctorate in 2022 at De Montfort University, supported by Midlands4Cities in partnership with Dance4/FABRIC and Siobhan Davies Studios. He is artistic director of NEUROLIVE, a 5-year interdisciplinary research project.
Independent Dance is resident at Siobhan Davies Studios. To find out more about accessibility and the amenities available within the building please see here.
If you have any questions about the accessibility of our programme and would like to discuss any specific access requirements, please feel free to reach out to us via email info@independentdance.co.uk or by phone on 0207 091 9650, to speak to a member of the Independent Dance team.
During class, all participants are welcome to take breaks, observe, exit and enter the space as they wish. Lounge areas are available on the first and ground floors of the building. Yoga mats, blocks, cushions and ear defenders are available for use. We also welcome you being in contact if you would like to discuss the option of bringing your access support worker. Please speak to a member of the ID team if you require any assistance.
Prices for classes are kept very low and are subsidised by ID in order to support artists to attend. To keep admin manageable for our small team, we don’t offer refunds if you cancel or can’t attend a class, and we can’t transfer your booking to a different class/event. We hope this is understandable. If a class is cancelled or changed by ID however, we do offer refunds/transfers to everyone who has booked.