International Festival of Live Art, Scotland

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NRLA Blog

Do You Mind If I Ask You a Few Questions?

Written by New Moves International Tuesday, 27 July 2010 00:00

We get the cheap suits and matching haircuts in Sheffield.

The hairdresser — my hairdresser — is visibly distressed when I tell her what we want. She's been slowly nursing me away from my very long hair for several years now, with the promise that she will eventually get to cut something other than 'not short' into it. But this isn't what she was hoping for: short back and sides, side parting; the squarer we look, the better. She cuts me first. I look suitably geeky. The she gives Jerry exactly the same cut. He looks cool.

NRLA30// A Glasgow Adventure - Xan Colman

Written by Xan Colman Sunday, 09 May 2010 21:02

I'll admit to a certain arousal on arriving in Glasgow, which can't purely be related to excitement - a strange feeling of being simultaneously both within and without my "comfort zone" if you will. I am at ease with exploration, with newness, with challenge, but something in me was marking what I would discover was a more subtle and deeper test - the dissection and reassembling of my practice methodology. Oddly, I don't feel my practice has shifted, rather I've shifted in its place. It's a feeling not unlike the old American sitcom situational standard of the auto-shop, which pulls apart the car and upon putting it back together, has three parts left over; car works fine in every respect, just as before, but without those three parts... same car, altered assembly.

NRLA30// NRLA article on axis website

Written by New Moves International Thursday, 15 April 2010 12:02

This article by Helen Holtom features on axis: the online resource for contemporary art. Follow the link below for details.

Taken from axis: "2010 marked the 30th Anniversary of the National Review of Live Art (NRLA). It seemed an opportune moment for Helen Holtom, also in her 30th year, to delve into the history of the NRLA and assess its impact on performance and live art in the UK. At the event Helen talked to a number of people, notably Lois Keidan, Director of the Live Art Development Agency, and her article takes us through some of their thoughts on performance platforms and the artform in general."

http://www.axisweb.org/dlForum.aspx?ESSAYID=18086

NRLA30// Paul Hurley writes on Esther Ferrer

Written by Paul Hurley Thursday, 08 April 2010 16:28

Described by a friend as “the grand dame of European performance art”, Esther Ferrer was one of a number of artists at NRLA that I was determined not to miss. Her performance / lecture 'Performance Art: Theory and Practice' took me somewhat by surprise, in the best possible way. Sat at a long desk, with a press conference microphone and a definitive paper to present, Ferrer had the air of a seasoned feminist academic, the weight of her project matched by the brightness of her passion.

Mary Brennan's complete and UNEDITED review of NRLA30

Written by New Moves International Wednesday, 07 April 2010 22:32

Mary Brennan of The Herald has very generously offered this unedited version of her consideration of the 30th National Review of Live Art for publication here - ENJOY!

*****

So it’s over. Not just for another year. Over for always. This, after a thirty year span was the last National Review of Live Art. Initially NRLA wasn’t made to last, but under Nikki Milican’s guardian care it continued and evolved, moved city, moved venues and now, in 2010, it’s run its course. This final programme positively embraced the past: everyone in its lists had been here before. At every turn, history met itself. It could have been a cocktail of navel-gazing nostalgia. Instead, the five day event emerged as a celebration of performance in all its shape-shifting aspects and a salute to artists who continue to be both honest mirror and probing searchlight in society worldwide.

NRLA30// QASIM RIZA SHAHEEN - (THEY WERE ALREADY DEAD)

Written by Mark Caffrey Wednesday, 07 April 2010 08:20

Qasim Riza Shaheen offered two looping video installations of ‘confessions, love letters and performances – man to man’ over two days at NRLA30.

I experienced (THEY WERE ALREADY DEAD) as uncertain moments spent in the dark as (and with) watchful other(s); a silent transaction that held me as welcome client, voyeur, and silent witness.

30th Anniversary Catalogue Box Set

Written by New Moves International Wednesday, 07 April 2010 06:33

The 30th anniversary catalogue is selling well. The updated order form can be downloaded from the website www.newmoves.co.uk/news

As well as Dee Heddon and Jennie Klein's painstaking editing over many months, a huge thanks is owed to Mark Gatti who lived every moment in the production of this wonderful object; what a fantastic designer he has been for the festival over the years. A big thank you again too, to all the contributors, we hope you are really happy with the end result.

NRLA30// KIRSTEN LAVERS - Safe

Written by Mark Caffrey Tuesday, 30 March 2010 18:08

Kirsten, you’ve been here throughout the five days of NRLA with your SAFE display, your project taking place as interventions in various spaces around the Arches. Could you describe the nature of the project?

Yes. Safe is a revisiting of a piece that I made twenty years ago for NRLA called A Safe Place. Safe exists in two modes. It exists literally as a grey box safe, very tantalisingly locked up, which holds a sound piece an assemblage of conversations and text spoken by a computer voice. I’ve had reports from people who have actually managed to break the combination and look in! The second mode of Safe is discussions with various interested audience members about what the idea of safety means to them now.

NRLA30// All FIVE 2010 PODCASTS LIVE!

Written by Mark Caffrey Saturday, 27 March 2010 16:18

There are now ****FIVE**** New Territories podcasts available to download via the New Territories Media section (see menu at the top of this page). Details of these 2010 podcasts follow – and if you weren’t already aware - the podcast archive is also live and fully downloadable via iTunes or RSS feed.

NRLA30// Tim Etchells NRLA Guardian Blog (unedited)

Written by Tim Etchells Friday, 26 March 2010 12:25

By the time I reach the NRLA, Ron Athey's Self Obliterations performance of the previous night is already part legend. In the rumours which float through the foyer and out towards Hope Street, witnesses agree to disagree about pretty much everything – from the quantities of blood spilled either deliberately or accidentally, to the precise number of fainting punters to the exact length or trajectory of the crimson parabola spurted from one particular wound in his scalp (or forehead or eyes), spraying splatters to the ground. Rumours, some of them silly, seem to grow and shrink exponentially in the diverse fecund microclimates of The Arches. Something went wrong. He was in danger. An ambulance was called. No, not really and no, it turns out. But the mix of unnecessary HIV-fear and powerful images stirs the subterranean air in strange ways, whilst Ron's absence – slipped away in the Glasgow night – only seems to further fuel the rumour fire, adding mystery to deliberate injury.

NRLA30// PRESS

Written by Mark Caffrey Wednesday, 24 March 2010 13:38

Click on the links below for a selection of the press coverage of the 30th NRLA - thanks to Chris Lord from New Moves International FB page - join now if you haven't already for links, photos and press updates.

NRLA30// thank you reflections from Kate Stannard

Written by Kate Stannard Wednesday, 24 March 2010 00:00

Friend

RAW (body as machine) was an experiment designed to investigate the relationship between my body and mind, the concept of presence and connection to space and audience.

You inputted into my journey; journeyed part of the way with me and I wanted to share my post-event thoughts with you.

In parts I may be repeating myself or contradicting myself, also i know in a week all my thoughts/ emotions may well have change again.

NRLA30//AKADEMIA RUCHU En huit figures

Written by SANDRINE MORGANTE Tuesday, 23 March 2010 19:19

C'est 4 hommes et une femme. Leur expression corporelle est commandée, rigide, drôle parce que mécanique. Les mouvements qu'ils effectuent relèvent d'une grande dextérité qu'il montre volontier faillible.

NRLA30// RICHARD LAYZELL - Assisted Power

Written by Mark Caffrey Sunday, 21 March 2010 18:42

It was a very special moment spent in the presence of Richard Layzell, an artist who appreciates and respects his time and space, and who extends the same to those around him. Richard Layzell, a man who laughs when he is happy.

NRLA30// PAUL HURLEY - Untitled Actuation, March 2010.

Written by Mark Caffrey Sunday, 21 March 2010 13:32

Paul Hurley brings a lightness to Arch 3 West with his studied delicacy. Down to his white vest and pants and perched in a pair of glittering silver stilettos, he stands with stick support and leg muscles taut. A metal bucket over his head, he blows ever so softly on a metal whistle, entirely engaged in a ritualistic Untitled Actuation.

NRLA30 // Iona Kewney - Femme sous influence

Written by SANDRINE MORGANTE Sunday, 21 March 2010 12:26

Le corps de la danseuse émeut, sa maigreur a un aspect maladif et marginal.

Mais l’ énergie avec laquelle elle l’anime, et l’explore, sublime la douleur et défie les a-priori, nous apprenant à aimer un corps quel qu’il soit.

INTERVIEW// Paul Hurley

Written by Mark Caffrey Sunday, 21 March 2010 12:13

Paul, could you describe Untitled Actuation, March 2010 for those who didn’t see the piece?

I was doing a series of actions over about 45 minutes using a selection of materials that I have used before, but that I’ve also appropriated from classic action art aesthetics – metal buckets, earth, eggs, felt and water. I made a series of sincere, embodied actions that tap into energies or ways of being shamanistic – going through rights of transformation and endurance but simultaneously queering them in a way with other aesthetics and critical frames. I’m really interested in exploring the processional transformations that those works can effect.

NRLA30// FRENCHMOTTERSHEAD - Where you here the last time?

Written by Mark Caffrey Sunday, 21 March 2010 10:48

FrenchMottershead's "Where you here the last time?": Last night, after the performance by Forced Entertainment at Tramway, everyone attending or working at the NRLA were invited to gather for a large group photograph. Once everyone was in position, they were asked to face the camera and look their best. A photographer recorded this moment with just one shot, which was projected for the remainder of the evening. Download the photo at www.frenchmottershead.com/nrla

NRLA30// 21 MARCH 2010

Written by Mark Caffrey Sunday, 21 March 2010 10:43

TODAY: Shaun Caton; Kate Stannard; Kira O’Reilly; Boris Nieslony; Leibniz; Sheila Ghelani; Francesca Steele; Richard Layzell; Lee Wen; Yann Marussich; Roberta M Graham; Silke Mansholt; Akademia Ruchu; Los Torreznos; Miss Electric Gypsyland; continuing installations and performances… and party in celebration of 30 years of NRLA!

NRLA30// Forkbeard Fantasy - La couleur du non-sens

Written by SANDRINE MORGANTE Saturday, 20 March 2010 18:46

Les personnages sont en quête d’un projet artistique génial qui va révolutionner le monde de l’art. Après de nombreuses péripéties ils vont décider de faire de l’art invisible. Grand défi. mais tout à fait à la portée des forkbeard fantasy qui ont plus d’un truc dans leur sac pour créer des histoires, expériences pseudo-scientifique, des animations, des bruitages et illusions en tout genre qui en appelle à notre imagination et réflexion de spectateur amusé.