Providing a unique exploration of what goes on under the skin, Wales Millennium Centre and Clod Ensemble present Perfoming Medicine: The Anatomy Season (26 Nov – 7 Dec), a series of conversations, performances and workshops inspired by the theme of anatomy. There has always been an intimate connection between anatomy and performance – from the lavish anatomy theatres of 16th century Italy to the infamous Gunther von Hagen’s’ Bodyworlds exhibition. The Anatomy Season probes this fascinating relationship. Featuring artists, performers, anatomists, medics and thinkers, the season offers an interactive investigation into the inner workings of the body. From this range of perspectives, a truly comprehensive view of the human form emerges, in all its beauty, intricacy, strength and fragility. Performance: The Anatomy Season will include four performances of the highly acclaimed An Anatomie in Four Quarters, in association with Sinfonia Cymru, at Wales Millennium Centre’s Donald Gordon Theatre. An Anatomie in Four Quarters is a performance piece using dance and movement to explore the physical structure of the body as well as the magnificent anatomy of the Donald Gordon Theatre itself. Promenading to different viewing positions throughout the piece, the audience’s attention is drawn to the importance of seeing from different perspectives as they are led to examine what it means to open up and to be opened. An original score written by Clod Ensemble’s co-Artistic Director Paul Clark features bagpipes, a live rock band and live strings from Sinfonia Cymru. Workshops and Conversations: Accompanying the performance, a comprehensive series of workshops and conversations will offer a range of insights and experiences, including the chance to explore the anatomy of the voice and how to treat patients with breathing problems. Artist Eleanor Crook will provide anatomical drawing and wax sculpting sessions, while professional dancers will explore anatomy through movement, inspired by the great theatre teacher Jacques Lecoq. Roger Kneebone, Professor of Surgical Education at Imperial College London, experienced performer and teacher Brian Lobel and Anglia Ruskin University’s Principal Lecturer in Drama Gianna Bouchard will lead a stimulating debate about the relationship between performance and anatomy, and professional artists will discuss the ways in which their work is influenced by anatomy. ‘The Anatomy Season is all about what's going on under the surface: in this case the surface is the skin,’ explains Professor Judith Hall, who will be presenting the Inside Information workshop on voice and breathing apparatus alongside anatomist Dr Tracey Wilkinson and WNO Soprano Ros Evans, in the Simulation Centre at the University Hospital of Wales. ‘The season looks inside the body to help us understand, and maybe also to value, its inner workings. It’s a great, varied way to learn about and understand our bodies.’ Original and eye-opening, The Anatomy Season explores a diverse range of issues, from the representation of bodies in medical culture and how this affects ways of thinking about them, to the way contemporary artists can utilise knowledge of anatomy in their work, and what anatomical specimens can tell us about lives lived. The workshops and conversations will probe the methods for teaching anatomy and the ways in which this influences doctors’ attitudes towards their patients, as well as offer the opportunity to explore anatomy through the eyes of an artist or the body of a performer. A truly unique performance piece, An Anatomie in Four Quarters uses dance and movement to fuse all these ideas together in an innovative presentation of the wonders of the body. Head of Programming at Wales Millennium Centre, Louise Miles-Crust said: “As an innovative and reflective cultural venue, we have a responsibility to challenge our audiences and stimulate questions. Our Performing Medicine: The Anatomy Season provides audiences with a rare and varied opportunity to question how much we know about what’s going on inside us, and how much we really want to find out. I hope that the season will appeal to a range of brand new audiences for the Centre, and I look forward to welcoming them through our doors.” A blog dedicated to Performing Medicine: The Anatomy Season is available at www.anatomycardiff.blogspot.co.uk. The Anatomy Season is presented by Clod Ensemble and Wales Millennium Centre. |
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Thursday, October 24, 2013 |
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