BRAID

The impetus for this piece was the concept of embodied movement.

Braid involved the performer continually plaiting, unplaiting and then replaiting hair. This meant that the performer’s hair and hands were in a constant state of movement. While this task was simple it required performers to lean forwards over a small theatre lamp. The position of the body, the repeated motion and the heat of the lamp turned this simple gesture into an act of endurance.

Within the space there was also a projection showing the act of plaiting up-close. This was taken during rehearsal and was put into monochrome as the movement of the hair and hands were the intended focus.

Due to timing constraints this piece was only shown for fifteen minutes. Ideally this production should be a durational performance that could be moved through and returned to by the audience, possibly also requiring involving more than one performer.