Thinking Space
Thinking Space Reflections 2021
Thinking Space was a reflective and nourishing project that brought together six dance artists who work with older adults and dance. This is a collection of thoughts, imagery and sound to show traces of our thinking space journey.
Thinking Space was a reflective and nourishing project that brought together six dance artists who work with older adults and dance. This is a collection of thoughts, imagery and sound to show traces of our thinking space journey.
“I want to go into a space. Enter a possibility for openness and holding. To be co facilitated and held. To share and learn. Not just through words and talking but through feeling and holding and doing. Expressing to the ends of my body so that my antennas can reflect on this last week, month, year. I want to breathe, to pause. To take time. Take a physical stock”
– Lucy Haighton, June 21
Day One
Artists Adrienne Melling, Alex Mettam, Louise McDowall, Lucy Haighton, Minoti Parikh and Sara Giddens came together in the studio to commence Yorkshire Dances ‘Thinking Space’ project. Each artist shared a rich variety of experiences, bubbling ideas and creative tasks. This day also left space for the artists to share their fears, anxieties and methods of how they cope and sometimes don’t cope with them. The following includes notes, reflections and resources that were made from or inspired the journey of the day in the studio.
“Please take what you need, what is useful. Take what I’m offering as a starting point. An invitation. Feel free to let it go where it needs”
– Lucy Haighton, June 21
I am…
.
I am
I am an Artist
I enjoy sharing joy and including people in my journey
People tell me, I make them feel connected and
empowered
As we emerge out of the shadows
And take up new routes
I will continue to express, excite and empower
– A gorgeous poem written by Minoti Parikh for ‘Thinking Space’. This poem was explored through movement by all the artists.
Day Two
Agden Reservoir, Peak District, August 2021
On day two, the artists met at Agden Reservoir. Here they allowed the warm hug of nature to discuss the thoughts that had arisen from the studio. The day consisted of thinking, talking and walking with even time for a
creative walking score. To follow are the traces left behind…
“It was a forest bath, a cleansing and energising retreat for the mind and body” – Thinking Space Artists, August 21
Closing Thoughts
“I think what Thinking Space has really made possible is a bringing together of committed practitioners that share a common interest, and for us to share and learn with and from each other without the usual pressures of leading a session. I just want to foreground how important I feel it is for us to take time to look at our own care. We are so very busy thinking of others, creating safe and welcoming spaces for our collaborators and practitioners that it is very easy to forget to ask who is looking after us (as freelancers) and how are we looking after ourselves? This feels to me like a really important and timely place to focus upon and for organisations such as YD to also foreground.”
– Sara Giddens, August 21
“Thinking space is a space for Creative expression and that can take any form, it to me is a supportive space for my self-care and growth. It has been an uplifting, energising, mindful and playful experience for me. I think it is essential for us to create a space for our nourishment and care and this for me has been the biggest takeaway of this experience.”
– Minoti Parikh, August 21