The Mudhead Dance
Friday 19 August 2016, 7–9pm V22 Louise House
The Mudhead dance takes inspiration from the Pueblo Indian Mudhead clowns. The project had two outcomes: a live participatory performance and a film. The three act film depicts a series of dada like ritualistic dances observed by an increasingly threatening troupe of naked Mudheads. This analogous tale merges Hopi creation myths, the artist as voyeur and three tribes based on characters from Peckham, Camberwell and Bermondsey.
The work is a metaphorical reflection of the time James spent as a voyeur on the streets of south east London, during which time he sought to understand the physical traits, gestures and attire of the modern day fool, clown, poet or outsider. The project brought naked performers and dancers together for an intensive period of collaborative street based play which subsequently developed into a series of choreographic games.
The performance hoped to scratch in the dirt.
The performance hoped to celebrate the forgotten.
The performance hoped to bring the outsider inside.
The performance hoped to stir-up the sediment.
The performance hoped to soak up the gravy.
The performance hoped to upturn the skip
Single Channel blu-ray Installation
Duration: 13min 23sec loop
Contains nudity and adult themes
Anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Venue info
V22 Louise House
Dartmouth Road
Forest Hill
London
SE23 3HZ
(Between Forest Hill Pools and Forest Hill Library)
Overground: Forest Hill
Bus: 122, 176, 197
