DIY 7 Martin O’Brien Altered States

Professional development projects BY artists FOR artists across the UK

DIY 7: 2010 – Call for Participants

Exist in extremis – A four day immersive workshop for artists working with endurance, examining achieving altered states through physical activity.

THIS DIY PROJECT IS NOW FULL

Project summary:
Altered States is a four day workshop examining the importance of preparation for artists working with endurance based practices. The first three days of the workshop will focus on preparing physically, at the same time as accessing an altered state of consciousness which is a recurring aspect of endurance based performance. This will be achieved through a series of exercises that work with the following techniques in relation to the artist’s body:
• Physical labour
• Intense physical activity
• Use of speed/exploitation of time
• Physical difficulty/ordeal
• Periods of fasting
• Periods of sleep deprivation

The fourth day will be a chance for participants to share work and will include the visit of special guest speaker Paul Hurley.

Simple accommodation will be provided together.

Dates, times and location(s):
August 19-22, 2010
Colchester Arts Centre
Work will start on Thursday 19 at 10am and will finish on Sunday 22 at 6pm.

Application Procedure:
The call for applications is open to artists for whom endurance is a major part of their practice. To apply please write no more than 250 words describing your practice, particularly in relation to the themes of the workshop, and a 250 word biography. Email applications [email protected] by Friday 16 July 2010.

The artist:
Martin O’Brien’s practice revolves around endurance, physical exertion and excess in relation to the fact he suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that purportedly has a detrimental effect on physical activity. His practice includes a preparatory regime, specifically designed (and constantly developing) for his own body in relation to his practice. His work has seen him perform in Britain, as well as Mexico, Poland and Germany. In October he will begin a PhD researching into the ways in which an artist can exploit the particularities of her/his own body in preparatory routines leading to endurance based performance practices.
www.martinobrienperformance.weebly.com

This DIY project is supported by Colchester Arts Centre: www.colchesterartscentre.com