International performance for unique art concept
Wednesday, 04 May 2011
performing 'Ballet'
ÔÇÿBallet started with research in the MERL archives and has now taken us to many different other placesÔÇÖ.
Susanne Clausen from the University's Department of Art has taken her work across the world to Canada to perform a unique rock opera based on agriculture and food production.
Susanne, a Reader in Fine Art, performs as Szuper Gallery with Pavlo Kerestey and, in addition to rock opera the pair has also brought a curated exhibition and spectacular video installation to the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina.
Originally developed for the University's Museum of English Rural Life with the participation of Michele Sereda (of Curtain Razors), the MacKenzie exhibition, entitled ‘Ballet', will mark the Canadian premiere for this unconventional response to agricultural realities on Friday, 6 May.
Through a blended choreography of farm labour and dance movement, the duo dissolves the neat separation of rural and urban-the ‘ballet' on which the world food system depends.
Susanne said: "We are delighted to be back in Canada to work on this ambitious new commission. ‘Ballet' started with research in the MERL archives and has now taken us to many different other places.
"In order to contextualise the new video installation and performance I have curated a new exhibition, which includes works from the MacKenzie collection as well as from MERL archives and from our own sources."
The exhibition will be on view in Canada until September and has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the City of Regina Arts Advisory Committee and the British Council.
More details of the performance can be seen at http://www.mackenzieartgallery.ca/Exhibitions/Upcoming_Exhibitions/287/