
Bretton Hall (1998)
a video and sound installation.
Choreography and direction : |
John Utans |
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sound and direction :
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Paul Newland |
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Performed by : |
Melanie Clarke
Michelle Man
Tom Sapsford. |
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Bretton Hall (1998) was created during the 1998 International
Course for Professional Choreographers and Composers.
This two-week course was held in Yorkshire, Great Britain
and led by choreographer Jonathon Burrows and composer
Kevin Volans. The title of the work comes from the name
of the building where it was made. (Bretton Hall a former
mansion, now forms part of The University of Surrey's
Yorkshire campus. The room in which the work was shot
is also known for having been used in Ken Russell's
1969 movie, Women in Love.)
The work explores time and shifting perspective's of
movement and sound. Both elements play with notions
of elongating and reducing simultaneously. Actions occur
in the distance and in extreme close up. The work is
made up from a singular one-minute phrase of movement
and music. The music is scored for prepared piano, violin
and clarinet.
Relationships between the performers and sound appear
then fall away. Images and sound are cut, repeated,
move forwards and backwards in the space and in time.
The movement and sound components were edited in the
camera with the dancers and musicians repeating the
one-minute phrase. The camera recorded the movement
and sound in random stops and starts, turning the camera
on and off. This process continued for approximately
15 minutes thus making a three-minute visual and aural
sequence. The video element captures the music played
by the musicians and the movement and sounds of footsteps,
falls to the floor and breathing of the dancers. The
video and sound have since been re-edited independently,
using a simular random on-off process, thus turning
the one-minute/ three-minute sequence into three hours
(and more in a continuous loop).
The work is presented with two sound sources, from
different directions within the space, one of the actual
sounds from the video, the other the remixed version
of the original score. The intention is that the spectator
is free to move about the space becoming aware of the
different sound sources and its relationship to the
movement video image. The sounds and visuals merge allowing
for constant shifts of time and place. Music and movement
work in unison and opposition. All elements overlap
and entwine bringing about subtle shifts and changes.
Of staying and going. And beginnings and endings.
Bretton Hall (1998) was presented at the Vault, Contemporary
Arts Space, Bundaberg Arts Centre in August 1999.
For further information of technical details and
availability for exhibition please contact John Utans.
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