Output details

ATTEMPTS AT FAILURE. (Portfolio of Research: Falling Up, Dancing Down; The Breath Between Us; NaCl. Various Venues: Dundee (2011); Liverpool (2012))

During 2011-2012 Spence undertook a period of research exploring ideas surrounding failure using the body and performance as her core methodology. This resulted in three live performances. Two works were developed with presentations at public events in Dundee, culminating in a third performance at the Bluecoat, Liverpool.

Threading through this body of research Spence aimed to create a powerful tension using live performance, stemming from the possibility of failure through each performative attempt.

Deliberately unrehearsed the audiences experienced the experimental process of these performances at Dundee Live (Hannah Maclure Centre, Abertay University, 15/07/2011), a performance/public art festival aiming to increase the international profile of the rich performance activity taking place in the city. Based on a weather balloon flight that took place in 1982, Spence focused on how we can fail without falling by developing, "Falling Up, Dancing Down", where the body was suspended in the air using helium filled meteorological weather balloons. STV Evening News programme covered this performance.

At the ‘Shared Imagination Symposium’ (Centrespace, VRC, DCA, Dundee, 06/10/11), a Welcome Trust and Exhibitions, DJCAD collaborative event, Spence was commissioned to devise a new work, "The Breath Between Us", a durational performance inspired by conversations with Dr Sonia Rocha (Welcome Trust Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression) who is investigating hypoxia. Over 3.5hrs, using varied breathing techniques and a 5.5ft weather balloon, Spence explored how the body responded to fluctuating oxygen levels during this prolonged period of time.

Finally, "NaCl" explored the failing body, (Bluecoat, Liverpool, curated by Gina Czarnecki and Sara-Jayne Parsons, 04/02/2012). In an attempt to preserve the body, she was buried in 1.5 tons of salt.

Spence’s research investigates a visual dialogue between body and space, exploring its physical/psychological limits and constraints within set parameters. These ephemeral events were digitally captured and are available online.

www.attempts-at-failure.co.uk