Week two entailed artists working on the roof space alone and together, beginning with morning movement classes, or in alternative natural spaces, as well as a trip to the local school who welcomed us with an incredibly generous and humbling greeting of speeches, a quiz, and Naati and Punjabi dance by girls plus an impromptu dance by the boys. We began artist talks, discussions and workshops taken by the artists as well as myself exploring topics like "Humour and resistance", "Othering", "Women and Aging", "Performance in the digital age", Poetry reading, Toning and an embodied "vulnerability in performance" process.
Meanwhile construction continues on the studio space and we are fed the most delicious assortment of curries, bottomless chai, as well as a large impromptu cake. The generosity of the team supporting us continues to be absolutely humbling. 2 puppies picked up on our trip to the mountain temple last week continue to be integrated into daily life and processes. The processes are very much integrating change and the presence of everyone and everything within our local environment, including Harpreet's daughter who came to visit the puppies.
Harpreet Singh was also asked to speak about his work for the artists to understand the foundation of the residency out of interest and like all of the discussions, activities and talks this was super interesting for everyone involved to hear the foundations of his art practice as political, subversive and transformative. A vulnerability workshop lead by myself broke the ice into deepening the group relationship to each other and their art within this context.
Limitations of internet has been a brilliant support toward an embodied experience held within these mountains.
Week 3 began with celebrating the full moon in a ritual lead by Sara Cowdell and Kyah Dove on the roof, and we had 3 new residents. We celebrated a birthday of Ram who is a volunteer at the residency and continued more artist talks and discussions. Artists also presented works in progress showings around the residency.
