Stretching Stretch

SOPHIA CLIST in collaboration with NICK BURGE, CRAIG VEAR, RAGNHILD OLSEN

Stretch is a kinetic sculpture made out of six or more miles of elastic.  Originally commissioned as an interactive dance performance by Crying Out Loud and the Lyric Hammersmith, the collaborating artists are now developing the roots of Stretch an interactive installation and site-specific sculpture, partner to the performance piece.

Viewer

Complimenting the existing performance, Stretching Stretch will explore the relationship between the viewer and the sculpture, drawing the viewer in to become the performer and complete the work.  The collaborative team is keen to explore how the experience can be led by the physical interaction of the viewer rather than a performer or facilitator and to break the rule of ‘don’t touch’.  With the use of movement sensors and microphones the interdisciplinary team will experiment with how the viewer can reveal the sculpture through touch looking at how they navigate the journey from the outside in, from viewer to performer.

Architecture, Space & Form

The Stretch team aim to give more importance to Stretch as a site-specific physical intervention and explore how it can expand into any given space altering its architecture, imposing itself as a threshold.  The team will investigate new forms of Stretch: a structure that bridges column to column, that links two or more trees, that fills a doorway, a corridor.

Technology

Sophia, Craig, Nick and Ragnhild will also develop the technology used within the installation to capture data that can be used to trigger sound and video by the viewer’s touch.  Using a variety of data collecting technologies, the team aim to collect and amplify the vibrations of and pressure on elastic and use the movement and pressure of the structure, to manipulate and create sounds and images further confirming the viewer’s presence in the piece. 

October/November 2008:  in residence at the Newcastle Gateshead Children's Festival.  Please check back for further information or contact Jo Hammett for performances in progress.