“I am over there, there where I am not, a sort of shadow that gives my own visibility to myself, that enables me to see myself there where I am absent; such is the utopia of the mirror. “
Michel Foucault ‘Of Other Spaces’
Sighted, as a project, is formed of two works performed simultaneously. They are partnered both in their similarities and in their oppositions. However, each is experienced as a unified and singular world. The project plays with what is seen and on view in relation to the sightlessness of either the performer or the viewer.
A maximum of 10 audience members can enter each space. The running time is 18 minutes.
The purpose of this project is to play creatively with the notion of a replicated space and performance whose existence is intimately linked to the first but appears to act in opposition. These are myriad worlds inviting scrutiny, falsifying identity and reality and a sense of virtual touch.
As with previous dance performance works we draw the audience’s attention to an acute awareness of place and the present moment, a feeling of uncertainty, participation, duality and wonder. We play with the balance between a sense of isolation and a sense of community, sound and silence, movement and stillness. Sighted invites sensitivity to temperature, touch, breath, physical adjustments, shifting focus, and the texture of materials.
Sighted is performed by Stine Nilsen and Martina Conti.
Breathtaking” : Time Out (Sighted at Royal Opera House)
Reviews
Dance Research Aotearoa is an annual publication that presents peer-reviewed scholarly dance research in an internationally accessible online journal.
https://dra.ac.nz/index.php/DRA/article/view/63/47
Gallery
Photos by Hugo Glendenning
Video
Audience comments
Sighted – Collect 2015 at Saatchi Gallery 8th – 11th May
Visitors’ Book
“Spellbinding!”
“Beautifully intense…slight menace?”
“The moment when you see the reflection of the dancers’ eyes in the shard of mirror and the distance between you and the dancer contracts to nothing in an instant. The moment of contact a shard in the heart.”
“Moving and fascinating and very beautiful.”
“Savoured the chance to slow down, be peaceful and see the beauty around us, in the flow of the skirt, the reflections of light, the minimal movement – wonderful. Thank-you.”
“I felt very much loved.”
“Lovely light and tension. Thanks for this.”
“Beautiful and thoughtful performance. I felt through life cycles and reflections. Also amazed by the performer and her composure and confidence in her body. Thank you!”
“A beautifully performed piece which demonstrated a sensitive response to the space and atmosphere. The highlight for me was the climactic running and using the circular pathway. The rush of wind as she passed resonated as a physical echo. A memorable work! Well done.”
“A wonderful piece. I loved the use of mirrors and simplicity of movement. Really enjoyed this performance.”
“I really liked the interplay between lights and shadow on the wall. When she held the piece of glass she looked like she was holding a sword.”
“I enjoyed the combination of lights. Shadow and subtle movement.”
“It took me to a place of private pairs. To touch, feel, smell what I lost. Very emotional.”
“Fantastic performance, Stine”
“Quite mesmeric – in the moment – and hypnotic – engaging performance.”
“I have never been so aware of my own body, stunning.”
“Highly emotive”
“Subtle and surprisingly moving.”
“Wonderful – emotive – thoughtful – mesmerizing – beautifully performed. Thank-you.”
“Beautiful play on the way things can be seen; through shadows and reflections and in the flesh. \the reflection of the light on the mirrors and on the walls was simple and intriguing. Didn’t want it to end!”
“Incredibly expressive, and so interesting to watch, the stage space as detailed as the dance itself. Beautiful dancing.”
“Intriguing experience about centre and periphery, about see and being seen, about fast and slow, about pace…and light. Brilliant dualities!”
“I think that was about her taking a look at herself and questioning herself. I also think it was about loss or sadness. The mirrors I think are about looking at herself and when she picks up the mirror I think she is taking a very thoughtful close look. Brilliant!” Child aged 11
“Really beautiful performance, delicate and enigmatic!”
“Thank you Angela and Stine! Truly beautiful, engaging work.”
Royal Opera House – Deloitte Ignite Festival 5th & 6th September ’09. Selected audience comments from the visitors’ book. (Sighted and Sighted 2)
“Most enlightening and peaceful. Very intimate.”
“Another Sight! Watched the first Sighted at The Place and knowing them together – a cleansing experience. Wonderful.” (Sighted 2)
“Physically stunning.”
“Breathtaking experience.”
“Mesmerising, beautiful, tender, silent, warm, also fascinating, fluttery, beguiling, connected. Thank-you.”
“Eye contact through a thin slip of mirror – wonderful. Great innovation of light.” (Sighted)
“One of the best things I have seen in a long time.” (Sighted 2)
“It seems like there are ghosts in the room.” (Sighted 2)
“Weird but wonderful – a moment in time. Thanks.”
“Beautiful magical space – elegantly simple – fab experience.” (Sighted)
“Too much almost fragility.”
“Thank you so much for such a moving experience – ghosts, family, lost ones.” (Sighted 2)
“Fascinating.”
The best thing I have seen in the whole festival.” (Sighted 2)
“Enjoyed my time of engagement with Stine. In the light, skin, touch, white, was not ready for it to end!” (Sighted)
“How do you run so fast? – Loved the silence.” (Sighted 2)
“Amazing. Thank you . Peaceful.”
“Bellissimo, grazie.” (Sighted 2)
The Place Theatre: Founders Studio ‘Spring Loaded’ 15-18th April 2009
“An outstanding installation. Fantastic to see the performers’ decision making – who to choose. The closeness I felt when she approached me made me want to be alone with her, to lengthen the experience – captivating”.
“A beautifully intense performance, which I feel has resonated through me, and the performer gave such an inner glow.”
“I imagine everybody felt wanted during this performance, which is unusual”
“…she held my hand. and then just us looking down into the pool of mirrors. My skin became alive.”
“It looked like every step Stine took was an adventure for her – really stunning.”
“So beautifully hypnotic, calming yet unsettlingly intimate. A simple but surprisingly moving experience – thank-you.”
“A fractured lake of reflections – shades of Cocteau’s Orphee”
“Watching other people’s comfort and discomfort is fascinating in itself – left me with a quiet stillness, which I wish I could reach more often. Thank-you.”
“Beautifully presented – I liked the thoughtfulness and small delights that Stine seemed to experience. It brought the audience in and we felt acknowledged.”
“I stop. I watch. I look. I look again. This time more closely. Every detail is noticed. Water rushes around her curled body. I see you.”
Oxford Playhouse Burton Taylor Studio 23rd-25th March 2009
“You controlled my breath. Bold, beautiful, simple and speaking volumes. You controlled my breath. Bold, beautiful, simple and speaking volumes.”
“Intriguing – like gazing at reflections in a pool of water, the surface ruffled by a breeze.”
“I was in a trance the entire performance. I looked at my watch and couldn’t believe 20 minutes had passed.”
“Compelling, exciting and inexplicably charming.”
“A really intriguing piece. Brought us down to the performance and made us part of it. As an audience we spoke at length about it afterwards – many thanks.”
Performances include:
Collect 15 Saatchi Gallery 2015
Sadler’s Wells 2011
The Hub Gallery, Lincolnshire 2010
Quad Gallery, Derby 2011
Pavilion Dance 2011
Royal Opera House Deloitte Ignite Festival 2009
The Place Theatre 2009 (Premiere)
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