Dance Commissions:
When Forms Come Alive

We commissioned two dancers to respond to three artworks in the exhibition. The dancers used contact improvisation to connect with each other whilst responding to the size, balance, rhythm, sounds and presence of each sculpture.

Dancers respond to Pumping by Eva Fàbregas (2021)

Hua and Vanessa Tan move within Pumping, a sprawling intestine-like sculpture of inflatables, lycra, mesh, foam, latex, silicone tubing and an 8-channel sound installation.

‘My work belongs to the realm of the somatic, the experiential, the guttural and the unnameable. It aims to full inhabit the world of the senses, invoking a pre-linguistic stage to imagine other possible bodies, other ways of feeling, caring and being in the world.’ Eva Fàbregas

Dancers respond to untitled: girl ii; 2019 by Phyllida Barlow (2019-2020)

Hua and Vanessa Tan move around untitled: girl ii; 2019, a sculpture of polystyrene and plaster by Phyllida Barlow which resembles an anthropomorphic rock, carefully and precariously balanced.

‘Maybe I don’t think enough about beauty in my work because I’m so curious about other qualities… abstract qualities of time, weight, balance, rhythm; collapse and fatigue versus the more upright dynamic notions of maybe posture... the state that something might be in.’ Phyllida Barlow

Dancers respond to Shylight by DRIFT (2016-2014)

Hua and Vanessa Tan move beneath Shylight, a performative sculpture by DRIFT in which blossoming lights descend from the ceiling of the gallery before retreating upwards.

’Shylight is a performative sculpture. When you enter the space, it becomes a kind of dance that is performed in front of you.’ DRIFT.