The heartbeat of London has been conducted by the rhythm of the tides of the Thames for hundreds and thousands of years. In a global world of connection and separation, the rise and fall of the water whispers stories of Concrete-Water-Flesh: how we are a part of the environments we dwell in. How we respect the water (keep it clean) and honour it becomes about how we are present in the city and in community. How we compose our lives with water are the scores of the city and scores of the shore. The work offers each person a time to consider their body and impact on the city. In times of isolation the pandemic has created what links us is precious and it is important to know this can be tangible (the river) and metaphysical (dancing together).
A series of scores were performed along the shoreline at Deptford during the week of Global Water Day. Dancing Strong also worked with three local primary schools, whose pupils participated in a dance that was filmed and performed in playgrounds.
The live event which was open to the public took place on Saturday 12th June at the Moonshot Centre in Fordham Park. It included performances by Dancing Strong Movement Lab and Irie Dance Theatre, a film sharing of the children's performance as well as a Global Water Dance in which audience members participated.
Artists and collaborators taking part in the event. Documentation and responses included drawings and paintings by Andrew Hinton, Mary Rodriguez and Nina Anderson, plaster-casts by Leucotea Andriolo and filming by Kate Harrison, Jack Judd and Anton Califano.