Performer Callout for upcoming exhibition Lygia Clark: The I and the You

The exhibition focuses on Clark’s artistic journey from the mid-1950s to early 1970s, a particularly volatile period in Brazil’s history when radical modes of artistic practice also emerged. Clark was a central figure in the Brazilian Neo-concrete movement (1959 – 1961) alongside fellow artists, Amilcar de Castro, Ferreira Gullar, Hélio Oiticica and Lygia Pape (amongst others), who were frustrated by what they felt were the limitations of ‘concrete art’, whereby the form of the work was conceived entirely before being produced.

Neo-concrete artists advocated instead for more intuitive, experimental means of creating across abstract geometric art, poetry or theatre. They also invited more active modes of relating to the art object, even inviting audiences to participate in artworks. Clark was one of the artists taking this aspect to ever more radical proposals.
The I and the You presents some of Clark’s participatory group work, developed during her time in Paris following the May 1968 protests. Having fled the increasingly repressive political environment in Brazil, her work in France, fueled by the revolutionary spirit of the time and place, sought to expand the boundaries of art by exploring questions of relationality and therapy. At Whitechapel Gallery, these works will be activated through a series of performances, for which we seek performers.

We are seeking dynamic and enthusiastic performers to bring two of Lygia Clark’s 1970s participatory works to life: Corpo Coletivo and Elastic Net. These interactive works explore themes of collective identity and interdependence through unique physical interactions and movement.

We want to work with performers who feel comfortable doing group work. You do not need to be a professional dancer or actor, but comfortable performing with others and in a gallery setting.

We are looking for a pool of 15-20 performers in London. As up to 10 performers will be requested to perform on each of the performance days, we commit to offering each performer at least 2 days of paid work (as well as the paid training). Each performer must sign up to at least 3 of the performance dates. These are as follows:

• Tuesday 1 October 9-5pm
  
  
• Tuesday 8 October 12pm-8pm
  
  
• Wednesday 20 November 12-8pm
  
  
• Saturday 23rd November 10.30am-6pm
  
  
• Saturday 7th December 10.30am-6pm

Mandatory Training dates:

• TBC date week beginning 23rd September: 2-hour online training session providing context to Lygia Clark’s work (will be recorded in case unable to attend)
  
  
• Saturday 28th September 9.30am-4pm (mandatory workshop/rehearsal)

If you are interested in participating in this unique performance and training opportunity, please send your
CV and a brief statement of interest (up to 500 words) to
hannahwoods@whitechapelgallery.org

Successful applicants will be contacted w/b 9th September 2024.