STRETCH

Sophia Clist

Suitable for audiences of any age, children and adults alike.

Stretch brings together sculpture, dance, sound and video to create a magical, physical spectacle for everyone.

Stretch uses many miles of elastic extended across a space. Thousands of strands weave across the view from one wall to another, lashed to two wooden rotating arms. This tendon of elastic forms a moving sculpture that creates multiple images; from a leaning wall, to a screen, to rippling water, to a pair of wings.

Stretch rotates on its axis; these movements and the touch of the performer generate a live soundscape and responsive video images. Using movement sensors embedded in the structure, composer Craig Vear and video and lighting designer Nick Burge orchestrate a live atmospere of manipulated sound and live video, acting as an instrument for sound and light of monumental size.

The audience firstly encounter Stretch as a short improvised performance with dancer Ragnhild Olsen, and afterwards is invited by Ragnhild to explore the structure. The elastic has the physical strength to gently hold your weight, allowing younger or older audience members to wind themselves inside, and create their own sounds and images with the thousands of strands.

Stretch is a sensory experience for every age, ability and language and has previously been programmed for audiences with moderate or severe physical or learning difficulties. With its ability to swing, move and surround the observer, Stretch is also suitable for wheelchair users.

Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. Stretch works at its best with a maximum capacity of 100.

Stretch is an interactive, site-specific event conceived and designed by visual artist Sophia Clist in collaboration with composer Craig Vear, video and lighting designer Nick Burge and dancer Ragnild Olsen.

Stretch was originally commissioned by Crying Out Loud & part of the Catch season at the Lyric Hammersmith.

"Stretch... radically alters the architecture of the space it occupies as it is altered by the hands and bodies of those that press against it." Toronto Gateway, May 2006 from The MILK Festival, Toronto

Please contact COL for bookings and further information.