For my external placement, I was directed to work with set and costume designer Katie Davenport, who also taught me at The Lir. The performance “What We Hold” was part of the Dublin Theater Festival, Katie created the set and costumes for the performance that took place in a historic building in Dublin the City Assembly House, Katie created her design specific for this structure.
The performance aimed to occupy the spaces and lead the public to transit through the different environments of the building as spectators of the generational and historical power of dance, proposing different experiments.
I worked with her during fittings, observing her way of making decisions and talking to each of the professionals she was working with. Returns, exchanges and new purchases were mostly on me, which was interesting for me to understand where and how Katie buys and chooses the pieces. I followed the rehearsals and assumed the maintenance of the costumes for the entire period of presentations.
Marking acclaimed choreographer Jean Butler’s return to working with traditional Irish dancers, ‘What We Hold’ is a site-specific work which unfolds as a series of encounters performed by an intergenerational cast of contemporary and traditional dancers that range in age from mid teens to late 60’s.
‘What We Hold’ illuminates the personal and cultural histories contained within the Irish dancing body and invites the audience to engage with traditional and contemporary expressions of the form side by side, up close, as never seen before; to experience what the body holds and what happens when we collectively let go.
Funded by an Arts Council Dance Project Award, Jean Butler researched, developed and honed 'What We Hold' with financial, administrative and residency support from the Dance in Process Residency at Gibney, New York. Further financial and resource support gratefully received from Irish Arts Centre, Dance Cork Firkin Crane and Aer Lingus.
'What We Hold' is produced by Our Steps and Lovano.
Images by Ste Murray.
