British Council - Italy

Arts & Culture Newsletter

Performing Gender Dancing in Your Shoes – Bologna Workshop - photographer Anna Kushnirenko

Hello,  Welcome to a bumper autumn issue of our Arts & Culture newsletter. We hope you had a chance to relax and recuperate this summer as we have a busy few months coming up in Italy, so do read on. As a global organisation our thoughts are very much with colleagues and communities around the world who face enormous hardships in difficult circumstances. Visit our UK/Ukraine Season to see how we are supporting the Ukranian culture sector at this time and read our 2021-22 review  which describes our work across the globe and how we support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We also would like to remember a great friend and collaborator from Italy, Claudio Gaetani, who passed away in September. Actor, director, filmmaker, activist and co-founder of the Italian disabled artists’ association Al.Di.Qua, Claudio was known and respected internationally for his own artistic practice, but also for his support of fellow artists, and for his commitment to advocating for change in the cultural sector.  Artists and professionals around the world will, without doubt, join us in mourning his passing. Grazie, Claudio.

What we are up to:

Performing Gender Dancing in Your Shoes – Bologna Workshop - photographer Anna Kushnirenko

Museums Revisited Museums Revisited aims to build capacity and connectivity through a network of museums across the UK and EU. Following research carried out in March 2021 with the support of Ministry of Culture, ICOM Italy and AMACI, we have been collaborating with ICOM Italia to develop two “culture salons” to offer opportunities to share examples of audience development through innovation in Italian and UK museums. The first event takes place on 17 October. Find more info and sign up here. International Collaboration Grants Programme  It’s full steam ahead here with five separate projects at various stages of development.   Disabled Leadership is a creative exchange between four disabled dance leaders from StopGap Dance Company and Oriente Occidente. A series of creative labs – running in various cities across the UK and Italy - will give opportunities to disabled and non-disabled practitioners to experience inclusive creativity with UK professionals connecting with Italian disabled leaders.  Dancing the Horizontal will take the form of two international exchanges this October when Kate Cox and Rachel Fullegar of Gracefool Collective (UK) work with the Dance Well group in Bassano Del Grappa and Yorkshire Dance. Humour is combined with a strong, feminist, multi-disciplinary practice. This project focuses on exchange between these exceptional artists and local communities of older adults and those living with long-term health conditions and disabilities.  Creating Connections sees Wanda Moretti (Venice, Italy), Kate Lawrence (Nant Peris, North Wales) and Lindsey Butcher (Brighton, England) draw on the participatory spirit and inventiveness of experimental dance work in 1970’s New York. Following a successful event in Italy earlier this year, they will run workshops in Wales and Brighton in October, first with students and teachers from a special school for disabled children and next with D/deaf and disabled artists alongside professional vertical dancers. If you’re interested in hearing about the lessons learned from the project, there will be an online symposium in December 2022. More information for this will be made available through Il Posto, Kate Lawrence or Gravity and Levity’s websites.   New Ways. Arcade Campfa and Spit & Sawdust, two artist-led spaces in Cardiff, are collaborating with Pase Platform, Venice, to offer a residency to train in the use of ‘d&b soundscape’, a radical new sound positioning technology that exists in only six locations in Europe.  Wales-based artist and experimental musician Emma Daman Thomas and Venetian flautist Andrea Vecchiato will be using this technology to create new art – keep your ears open!  Diverse Voices: After an open call in June, Inua Ellams, Orbita Spellbound and Spazio Griot ran a fantastic three-day workshop in Rome on live literature practices with 14 young artists from BiPOC backgrounds. Next up is a ‘Poetry Film Hack' in London on the 13 October. Afterwards we can look forward to the grand finale in Rome on the 28 October. The R.A.P. (Rhythm And Poetry) Party at Caffe delle Esposizioni will be a night of fun, poetry and music - keep an eye on Spazio Griot for more details.  Stay informed about the next round of International Collaboration Grants and other opportunities and events through our new EU enewsletter. Sign up here.

UK artist Self Esteem performing at Ypsigrock – copyright Elisabetta Brian

Bespoke Brokers Our Bespoke Brokers programme brings together cultural organisations, programmers and festivals in the UK and Europe to create opportunities for continued artistic exchange. So far this year we have sent Italian professionals to: The Great Escape Festival in Brighton - next year Italy is the country partner; performing arts festival Caravan - read about the experience - and to the film festival Sheffield DocFest.  A shout out goes out to former delegate and award-winning festival Ypsigrock whose lineup in August this year featured lots of British musical talent including Penelope Isles, C Duncan and Self-Esteem (pictured above). Circular Cultures A project to create new networks across the UK and Europe for creative professionals passionate about sustainability and circularity saw two UK based artists: Eleni Michael and Kajaal Modi, team up to participate at BASE Milano’s Temporary Home residency . This was a huge success, with around 1000 daily visitors, queues to get in, and successful networks created. So watch this space as we look to continue our work in circular design!  Jerwood Creatives: Over a week in July we hosted a group of creatives, ranging from set designers to sculptors and had a fantastic time introducing them to a whole range of Milan based creatives and organisations. Our fellows told us that they “gained a unique outlook and experience into the Italian cultural landscape.” – Duncan Butcher.     Performing Gender - Dancing in Your Shoes  This Creative Europe funded, three-year audience development project is aimed at developing a bond between cultural professionals and their local communities in the field of dance and performing arts throughout a discussion on gender in the European dance system. Partner Gender Bender organized a “summer camp” in Bologna earlier this month to support the exchange of experience. We have shared some pics throughout this newsletter for an idea of what happened so many thanks to photographer Anna Kushnirenko for her sharp eye!

Performing Gender Dancing in Your Shoes – Bologna Workshop - photographer Anna Kushnirenko

Partner activity

Kaleider – The Money – credit Prudence Upton

Meanwhile our partners are up to all kinds of interesting things. Prepare to get enough calendar inspiration to last you through till Christmas! Festivals Interazioni, 30 September – 8 October, a festival of performances, concerts, films, workshops and more, around Rome. Anglo-Italian musician, poet and actor Beercock is among a stellar line up.  UK artist Kaleider is making an appearance in Milan at BASE Milano’s Farout Festival with the installation The Time it Takes. Next stop is Teatro Sardegna with 2 works: Robot Selfie and the international hit showgame The Money: one table, a plate full of money, and 60 minutes to decide how to share it – things look interesting in the image above!  Workshops and Events Artlab provides opportunity for dialogue between stakeholders from the creative and cultural worlds alongside other sectors. Following the lab in Bergamo, the next stop is Bari/Matera (December 1–3, 2022). Workshops will look at the role of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Visual Arts Love arty lobsters? Have no idea what they are? Well, either way you’re in for a treat! Scottish artist Philip Colbert, who has created a global following for his hyper pop Lobster persona and is often referred to as “the godson of Andy Warhol” will unveil 12 new sculptures in Via Veneto in Rome on 6 October. The exhibition will last for 3 months and is free to the public. Learn more about his work here. La Biennale di Venezia (ending 27 November): of course we have to mention Venice one last time where this year Sonia Boyce OBE RA won the prestigious Golden Lion award for her exhibition Feeling Her Way at the British Pavilion. Over 190,000 visitors have visited so far! We’re very proud of Sonia but also the other 5 UK artists we supported in bringing their work to Venice:  Sonia Boyce has a solo exhibition in London at Simon Lee gallery 12 October – 19 November.  P Staff will be in Vienna when he participates in Filmlounge. The event is takes place in Zentagasse on 1 October. Ibrahim El-Salahi has a solo show, Pain Relief, until 30 October at Vigo Gallery, London Marguerite Humeau has an upcoming group show in Paris, running October – December. Marianna Simnett is currently participating in a group exhibition Espressioni con Frazioni at Castello di Rivoli in Turin. It closes on 27 November and you can take a virtual tour here.  Emma Talbot will show at Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia, Italy as part of her Max Mara Art Prize for Women commission.

Teatro Elfo Puccini – Alla Greca – photographer Laila Pozzo copyright Teatro Elfo Puccini

Offers and Opportunties

The Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) protects vital cultural heritage at risk in conflict-affected regions and those affected by climate change and natural disasters. They are seeking proposals from Suppliers to design, develop, manage and deliver a new peer and collaborative learning programme, which will explore What Works in Cultural Heritage Protection until August 2024.  They are looking for a supplier/s with a wider range of experience, knowledge and skills. Either the lead applicant or at least one of the partner organisations must be based in a country or region where the activity is proposed to take place. For more information and to apply, visit the link  on In Tend. The closing date for submission of proposals is 13th October 2022.  Membership to the British Council’s Digital Library - currently free of charge - will be extended for a 6-month period until 31 March 2023 so sign up now! Teatro Elfo Puccini have a special offer for our readers and other friends of the British Council. From 21 October – 13 November you can see Steven Berkoff’s reinvention of the myth of Oedipus in his splendid parody Alla Greca (and in the image above).  More info and to book tickets. Romaeuropa, 8 September – 20 November, returns with the 37th edition of its annual programme of contemporary dance, theatre, art, music, technology and events for kids. 80 different shows will take place in 18 venues across Rome, involving more than 400 artists from around the world. UK artists involved in the Festival this year are the dramaturg Alexander Zeldin and the musician Jesse Doon Kanda. A full programme of events can be found here. There is 25% off for our subscribers using promotional code UK22! That’s all from us and this newsletter :( !   A new regional newsletter is on its way, giving you updates on all our exciting ventures across the European region​ but you will need to sign up for it in the link below. We are now signing out now on the last Italy Arts and Culture newsletter and wish you all a fantastic Autumn/Winter season!

NEW! Arts&Culture Europe Newsletter - Subscribe now!  ©2022 British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).

Gravity & Levity

 

Phew! What a summer! We're ready to settle into the relative calm of autumn now (though we're still busy behind the scenes). Find out what we've been up to and dates to save for discussion events and symposiums to come. Save the date! 14-15 January 2023 Dissecting Aerial is back as a hybrid affair once again - presenting live and in person at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts in Brighton and live streaming to Viewing Hubs and individuals across the globe. World class teachers, artists and scientists will share their fascinating expertise with you on everything from anatomy, to the physics of aerial movement, to the mentality for sustainable training. Dissecting Aerial will of course have some aerial specific sessions, but we've found that the majority of sessions are of interest to dance practitioners and physical movers from any genre who are into geeking out about their bodies in movement. So tell your geeky friends! Tickets go on sale in November and YOU, our newsletter subscribers, will have access to pre-release tickets. You're so welcome. And - not only but also - you'll be able to buy your tickets online (which we're still very excited about!). Check out highlights from #DA2022 Vertical Dance research creating international connections Creating Connections 'Creating Connections’ is a British Council funded collaboration between Gravity & Levity, Il Posto (Italy) and Vertical Dance Kate Lawrence (Wales) that aims to deepen and develop our practices around inclusion, participation and inviting different and new audiences into our work. The project builds on our collaborative practices for vertical dance by drawing on the approaches developed in the experimental dance scene of the 1970’s (think Trisha Brown, Simone Forti, Robert Morris), which you can find out more about in our latest blog. You can witness the results of their research and creation in an online screening and sharing event in December 2022. Find out all about it in our blog That's a wrap! #EADFest2022 We had a BLAST at European Aerial Dance Festival 2022! From Sun 14 – Fri 19 August, over 70 people came to fly with us at the wonderful Worthing Pavilion, with some stunning tutors from across the globe.  We have a film in the making of the gorgeousness that went on, so hold tight for that. We're also in talks with Worthing Pavilion about running the festival over 2 weeks next year. We'll announce dates as soon as we know. Keep an eye on our socials for both of these. Massive thank you to all of you who joined us and made it the most inclusive and supportive yet. Aaand we've landed. Vertical Aerial Dance Harness Labs 2022  We were joined by 21 aerialists for these 5-day creative labs at Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts for beginners, intermediates and professionals, which went down a storm. It was a joy to be able to bring in 4 truly world class coaches to share their skills and we're looking forward to next year. "Oh wow, the taste of each element as it was introduced was incredible; the fundamentals, being responsive to various guided elements, playing, counter balancing, low-flying and the tutors brought such a wealth of knowledge and experience alongside a real generosity and joy in sharing that. I loved it all." - 2022 Participant 📷  All photos: Mark Morreau

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Aeriosa Dance Society

 

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Dancing Through The Seasons Artistic Director's Message At this autumnal equinox, I am reflecting on two significant Aeriosa productions: Dancing to Remember and Habitats & Camouflage. Dancing to Remember — Honouring the 10th Anniversary of Butterflies in Spirit, was an accomplishment, with over 75 artists and a return for Aeriosa to the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. Habitats and Camouflage, headlined the long-awaited launch of the Tofino Tree Festival featuring our collaborative nature-based site work with visual artist Sarah Fuller and music artist Keri Latimer.  With those major events behind us, and the smell of fall in the air, Aeriosa begins a new creative cycle with an international focus. Over the next four years we will be collaborating with choreographers Marija Scekic (Histeria Nova) and David Greeves (Yskynna). The development process begins next month with meetings in Croatia. We are excited to return to this beautiful country and work once again with Marija and David. Marija hosted us for the Vertical Dance Forum New Territories Workshop in Zadar, Croatia this same week of September in 2018.  The beginning of autumn also calls for our attention to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also called Orange Shirt Day) on September 30th. Orange Shirt Day honours the Métis, Inuit and First Nations children who never returned home, and residential school survivors, their families and communities. This week I had the chance to learn more about what the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation represents for Butterflies in Spirit founding member Carrie Phillip, in our Special Connections column. Auntie Carrie generously shares her thoughts about what Orange Shirt Day means to her and her community, and how song and dance has been an essential part of her healing journey. Warmly,  Julia Taffe

Current News October/November Site Visits & Meetings in Croatia  Artistic Director Julia Taffe & Safety Director Colin Zacharias Image from their last trip to Croatia in 2018 for the VDF Aeriosa Artistic Director Julia Taffe and Safety Director Colin Zacharias will be returning to historic Zadar on Croatia's western shores. They also plan to visit regions in Eastern Croatia to explore new locations and plan with new municipalities and stakeholders. This collaboration with Histeria Nova sees Aeriosa returning to Croatia in 2023 and 2024 to research rigging design and interdisciplinary vertical dance choreography in preparation for the Biennale of New Movement, and welcoming Histeria Nova to the Vancouver International Vertical Dance Summit in 2025 and 2026. Histeria Nova considers Aeriosa a vital partner in developing vertical dance in Croatia. The company's Biennale of New Movement is envisioned as a large suite of site specific projects and interdisciplinary collaborations, with training opportunities for vertical dance in different communities across Croatia. Stay tuned as we introduce you to key players and new developments as they unfold in future e-Newsletters. Looking Back September 2018 Vertical Dance Forum  New Territories Workshop in Zadar, Croatia VDF New Territories Workshop in Zadar, Croatia hosted by Histeria Nova The Vertical Dance Forum (VDF) held a series of professional development workshops and meetings in Europe and Canada from 2017-2019, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The seven international partners were: Histeria Nova (Marija Scekic, Croatia), Cie Retouramont (Fabrice Guillot, France), Gravity & Levity (Lindsey Butcher, England), Aeriosa (Julia Taffe/Colin Zacharias, Canada), Il Posto Danza Verticale (Wanda Moretti, Italy), Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre (Chantal McCormick, Ireland) and VDKL (Kate Lawrence, Wales) Inspiration In The Arts  Carrie Phillip (Shxwenatqwa) Photo Credit: Chris Randle from "Dancing to Remember" 2022  Carrie Phillip (Shxwenatqwa) is a member of the Sts’ailes Nation. Carrie’s original role with Butterflies in Spirit was to provide mentorship to the group and the members have called her Auntie right from the start. However, the dancing called her in; dancing, drumming, and music shifts energy and moved the sacred cellular memory through her body to a moment of healing. At that point she became a true sister to the dancers and shared the strong bond they all have. Carrie honours the beloved Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls and prays that their spirits rest in a good way and the families have peace. Special Connections Auntie Carrie Phillip Photo Credit: Chris Randle from "Dancing to Remember" 2022  Top left featuring Auntie Carrie & Ana Fernanda Cornejo Luna - Top right featuring Lorelei Williams Tell us something about yourself and about your relationship to Aeriosa? I am survivor of residential school and the Sixties-Scoop. My whole sibling group, and the majority of my family went to residential school. When I went to residential school I was led to understand it was to protect me from abuses at home but nothing was ever done to help my mom to heal or understand what was going on.  I am connected to Aeriosa through my connection with Butterflies in Spirit MMIWG2S. I was part of the first performance raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Lorelei Williams, is the founder of our dance group and her dad was a really good friend of our family, so Lorelei grew up with my kids. I believe in culture as a way of life, it is something that has kept me aware, alive and connected to family and community. Through my healing process I have been able to connect to Butterflies in Spirit. Song and dance is part of life. It is our connection to something greater than ourselves and our spirit. Aeriosa’s connection to the air and dancing amongst the trees — it really touched me to see that. Last April, for the Butterflies in Spirit 10th Anniversary (Dancing to Remember) the performance when the spirits of the children were pulled into air away from their parents was very moving, it touched my soul.   What does the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day represent to you?  My friend Phyllis Webstad started Orange Shirt Day, which is now the Truth and Reconciliation Day and her story is really important. Before Phyllis went to residential school her family took her shopping for new clothes. It may seem like a small thing, but when she arrived at school, her new clothes were taken away from her. She had chosen that orange shirt to represent herself, it was her connection to her family. To have it taken away was a really big deal. What happened to her heart, mind and spirit because of that simple thing was really hard. Now Phyllis’s Orange Shirt Day has really grown and is acknowledged through the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, raising awareness of what happened to our children.  When they found those 215 bodies at the Kamloops Residential School, my cousin told me, he told his mom about that, and his mom said "oh my god, I went to that school, I could have died.", so those stories are very personal to me. And now the numbers of graves are over 1000 in Canada. We aren’t just talking about a t-shirt, we are talking about people, our relatives, and that story needs to be talked about and understood. It goes way back. Looking at what happens as a result of that, all the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (and Boys and Men). It deserves to be understood and that will only happen when it is known.   Do you do anything special for Orange Shirt Day? I have my orange shirt and my hoodie with my logos. The logos are important because they represent us. There is a gathering here in Williams Lake with our own people to support each other. We need to be healthy to get through these experiences. With the Butterflies I talk about doing our own work and being kind to ourselves. Sharing our truths is painful so we have to be healthy to able to do that in a good way.   What do you recommend non-Indigenous people do on Truth and Reconciliation Day? Acknowledge it and don’t be judgmental. There is a lot of criticism and hurtful comments, saying that we should just get over it. I teach about that in my work. We talk about intergenerational trauma and we teach about those historical events which happened to our relatives. A lot of families don’t talk about it because of the pain and the shame and suffering, which has lead to dysfunctional behaviour. There has to be a greater sense of respect from society for people, to have the conversations and acceptance of people’s stories and experiences. When you look at Indigenous people’s issues with homelessness and addiction there are reasons for that. People are escaping something. Thank you Auntie Carrie for sharing a little bit of your story and for educating us. I really appreciate the chance to spend this time with you and everything you have shared today.