Embodied Vistas

Wilson-Eflerová’s new work re-interprets Deptford Creekside, offering audiences a unique, embodied experience. Eflerová’s filmed performance is edited into two different immersive video installations that explore single and multi-screen exhibition display contexts. The fluidity of the Creek mirrors the ever-changing nature of WE’s collaborative practice, offering the perfect medium for artistic expression/engaging audiences in our work. Embodied Vistas uses time-based mediums (performance, video and installation), responding to the unique character of Deptford creek, adopting an interdisciplinary approach. Re-contextualising the creek history and its present role we offer audiences an embodied experience, blurring the distinctions between place, one self and other. Helena Eflerová has devised a site-specific, outdoor live performance by embodying Deptford creek’s 1km of riverbed (water, banks, flood defences, found objects) referencing its topography; current; natural habitat and its changing nature (vulnerability to destruction and re-development). She has placed her body in selected locations and enacted the behaviour of the creek (water reflections, silt–mud settling, wax and wane of the tide) by exploration of postures and movements (endurance, restriction/flow, expression) applying Contact Improvisation and Butoh Dance techniques. By filming Eferová’s performative actions and surroundings, Kye Wilson has further enhanced Helena’s personification of the creek landscape by using a variety of filmmaking equipment combined with various cinematic techniques such as long takes, montage, camera movements, deep space staging/focus cinematography. The video installations display provides a platform for the audience to embody the filmed protagonist and place. Embodied Vistas is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.