Photographer unknown
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Three quick picks, and two major entries in the News section below!
Geraldine has been commissioned to create a site-specific project [funding dependant] using live music and sung voice for Autumn 2023. Yes, the birds of Two in the Hand may be flying elsewhere this year! Plus there are also two more potential projects on the horizon – fingers crossed – watch this space for news! In addition, just below on this page, are two larger scale News items about Geraldine's work; one relating to her DYCP grant; an experiment titled Season of Sorrow, and the second is to an online commission titled Sanctuary. Enjoy! |
Photographer unknown
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Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP)
In 2021, Geraldine was awarded an ACE, Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant to “discover the operatic form”, as a development of her non-text based, site-specific practice. With the grant, Geraldine sought to explore the traditional operatic form; where it comes from, and how it works structurally, with the aim of creating her own language using sung voice and live music in her work. |
Through her DYCP, Gerladine sat in on rehearsals, talked to directors and designers, been taken on backstage tours of opera houses by their production managers, and experienced productions at La Scala Milan, Holland Park Opera, Opera Bastille Paris, Royal Opera House, The Linbury Studio, The Albany, and Glyndebourne.
In July 2021 Festival d'Aix- en- Provence awarded Geraldine a place on an ENOA workshop for "...theatre practitioners who are interested in the form but have no experience of Opera..." but due to the pandemic was unable to attend and the timeframe for her DYCP funding was extended.
Season of Sorrow – A DYCP Workshop
For the last two years Geraldine obtained permission from the Peabody Trust for her MA site- specific student's final performances to take place in the empty former Holloway Prison. She became increasingly inspired by the sense of the memories of the women once imprisoned there.
Last year, one of Geraldine's students created a performance inspired by Oscar Wilde’s time as a remand prisoner in Holloway and quoted from “De Profundis” the letter he wrote whilst in jail which describes amongst many things the emotions of being incarcerated.
Moved by this letter, she created an image to explore in a workshop for her DYCP, inspired by the history of Holloway Prison and the memory of the women imprisoned there; especially women of colour whose voices and stories have not been heard.
Extracts of the text of De Profundis form two verses and a chorus, set to music by the composer Felix Cross, written for cello, played by Lucas Robson and mezzo soprano- Ophelia Charlesworth. Initially, the workshop was to take place at Holloway Prison but due to the scheduled demolition, has been moved to Shoreditch Town Hall’s Ditch in August.
Geraldine describes the nature of the experimental workshop image below:
“I want to create a very simple image of a contemporary female prisoner incarcerated in her cell, imagining herself free and singing accompanied by a live cello. At the end of the first verse the music fades into the subtle sound of the sea and gradually a video of herself singing liberated on a beach will be seen projected on the wall of the cell, and there will be a duet between herself imprisoned in her cell, and her liberated self on film.”
In July 2021 Festival d'Aix- en- Provence awarded Geraldine a place on an ENOA workshop for "...theatre practitioners who are interested in the form but have no experience of Opera..." but due to the pandemic was unable to attend and the timeframe for her DYCP funding was extended.
Season of Sorrow – A DYCP Workshop
For the last two years Geraldine obtained permission from the Peabody Trust for her MA site- specific student's final performances to take place in the empty former Holloway Prison. She became increasingly inspired by the sense of the memories of the women once imprisoned there.
Last year, one of Geraldine's students created a performance inspired by Oscar Wilde’s time as a remand prisoner in Holloway and quoted from “De Profundis” the letter he wrote whilst in jail which describes amongst many things the emotions of being incarcerated.
Moved by this letter, she created an image to explore in a workshop for her DYCP, inspired by the history of Holloway Prison and the memory of the women imprisoned there; especially women of colour whose voices and stories have not been heard.
Extracts of the text of De Profundis form two verses and a chorus, set to music by the composer Felix Cross, written for cello, played by Lucas Robson and mezzo soprano- Ophelia Charlesworth. Initially, the workshop was to take place at Holloway Prison but due to the scheduled demolition, has been moved to Shoreditch Town Hall’s Ditch in August.
Geraldine describes the nature of the experimental workshop image below:
“I want to create a very simple image of a contemporary female prisoner incarcerated in her cell, imagining herself free and singing accompanied by a live cello. At the end of the first verse the music fades into the subtle sound of the sea and gradually a video of herself singing liberated on a beach will be seen projected on the wall of the cell, and there will be a duet between herself imprisoned in her cell, and her liberated self on film.”
Image by Joseph Bisat Marshall
. Sanctuary – an online commission
Geraldine has been awarded an online commission by CAVA and Arts&Heritage to create a “Blue Sky” online idea for Ushaw House County Durham.
Visit the Arts&Heritage website by clicking here.
Contemporary Art Volunteer Ambassadors are a group of heritage volunteers from four heritage sites in the North of England who wanted to develop their understanding and knowledge of contemporary art and took part in this Newcastle University and Arts&Heritage project.
This micro-commission resulted in 4 artist Ideas for 4 major heritage sites in the North. There were no limits on artistic Ideas – no practical constraints, no budgets – the Idea didn’t need to be technically possible, and could be simple or complicated
Out of the 4 sites, Geraldine chose to respond to Ushaw: Historic House Chapel and Gardens
Sanctuary: A “Blue Sky” proposal for Ushaw: Historic House Chapel and Gardens
On reading that the name Ushaw comes not only from the Yew trees originally on the site but also, probably from the Old English “Ulve Shaw” meaning Wolf Wood; inspired images of an installation to be visited at night: of dark dense forests with hidden openings and sudden flashes of golden light illuminating paths to secret treasures within oak panelled walls.
As a site -specific artist this blue-sky thinking has excited me. From the key words of the brief, I took secretive, isolated, atmospheric, spiritual and embracing as my starting points and remembered Perrault’s original fairy tale “The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood” and researched his description of the forest that grew around the castle to protect her. “There grew up all around the park so vast a quantity of trees big and small, with interlacing brambles and thorns … The tops alone of the castle towers could be seen and these only from a distance … should have naught whatever to fear from prying eyes.”
I imagine forest walls of interlaced branches enclosing Pugin’s architecture as if the House and Chapel were forced to slumber for 100 years, when times might change, and their faith and worship would not be overshadowed by the threat of torture imprisonment and execution. From these enclosing and embracing walls would run maze like tunnels- created from overlapping branches- within the Ushaw Gardens that could be explored in daylight by every age of visitor.
Seen from a distance, the rooftops of the House and chapels are silhouetted against the sky whilst the rest of the buildings are enclosed within the blanket of the interlaced forest walls. Secreted within these walls of branches are video mapped images of red eyes of wolves darting amongst the creepers that entwine the branches appearing and disappearing.
The howls of wolfs are heard and then as if by magic hidden doors within these forest walls open to reveal tunnels of golden light that pierce the darkness, these panelled wood corridors lead to the house and chapels and their wooden panels when invited to touch open to reveal secret chambers with objects selected from the existing treasures from the House.
Within the House itself the lights are dim, and the sound of distant music can be heard. Shafts of light, light the corridors leading to the courtyard of the house where the “sleeping giant” of faith and hope is waiting to be awoken. A skeletal wooden structure reproducing the architecture of Pugin’s gothic revival Chapel is created within the courtyard. There is no altar, instead, a magnificent Yew Tree lit so that it appears to glow, and within the outlines of the of the columns and arches can still be seen the original House. The viewer is invited to sit within this lacelike structure on wooden pews illuminated by candlelight and hear choral singing from different faiths from hidden speakers placed all around. This chapel of safety embraces everyone and allows contemplation and peace.
Geraldine has been awarded an online commission by CAVA and Arts&Heritage to create a “Blue Sky” online idea for Ushaw House County Durham.
Visit the Arts&Heritage website by clicking here.
Contemporary Art Volunteer Ambassadors are a group of heritage volunteers from four heritage sites in the North of England who wanted to develop their understanding and knowledge of contemporary art and took part in this Newcastle University and Arts&Heritage project.
This micro-commission resulted in 4 artist Ideas for 4 major heritage sites in the North. There were no limits on artistic Ideas – no practical constraints, no budgets – the Idea didn’t need to be technically possible, and could be simple or complicated
Out of the 4 sites, Geraldine chose to respond to Ushaw: Historic House Chapel and Gardens
Sanctuary: A “Blue Sky” proposal for Ushaw: Historic House Chapel and Gardens
On reading that the name Ushaw comes not only from the Yew trees originally on the site but also, probably from the Old English “Ulve Shaw” meaning Wolf Wood; inspired images of an installation to be visited at night: of dark dense forests with hidden openings and sudden flashes of golden light illuminating paths to secret treasures within oak panelled walls.
As a site -specific artist this blue-sky thinking has excited me. From the key words of the brief, I took secretive, isolated, atmospheric, spiritual and embracing as my starting points and remembered Perrault’s original fairy tale “The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood” and researched his description of the forest that grew around the castle to protect her. “There grew up all around the park so vast a quantity of trees big and small, with interlacing brambles and thorns … The tops alone of the castle towers could be seen and these only from a distance … should have naught whatever to fear from prying eyes.”
I imagine forest walls of interlaced branches enclosing Pugin’s architecture as if the House and Chapel were forced to slumber for 100 years, when times might change, and their faith and worship would not be overshadowed by the threat of torture imprisonment and execution. From these enclosing and embracing walls would run maze like tunnels- created from overlapping branches- within the Ushaw Gardens that could be explored in daylight by every age of visitor.
Seen from a distance, the rooftops of the House and chapels are silhouetted against the sky whilst the rest of the buildings are enclosed within the blanket of the interlaced forest walls. Secreted within these walls of branches are video mapped images of red eyes of wolves darting amongst the creepers that entwine the branches appearing and disappearing.
The howls of wolfs are heard and then as if by magic hidden doors within these forest walls open to reveal tunnels of golden light that pierce the darkness, these panelled wood corridors lead to the house and chapels and their wooden panels when invited to touch open to reveal secret chambers with objects selected from the existing treasures from the House.
Within the House itself the lights are dim, and the sound of distant music can be heard. Shafts of light, light the corridors leading to the courtyard of the house where the “sleeping giant” of faith and hope is waiting to be awoken. A skeletal wooden structure reproducing the architecture of Pugin’s gothic revival Chapel is created within the courtyard. There is no altar, instead, a magnificent Yew Tree lit so that it appears to glow, and within the outlines of the of the columns and arches can still be seen the original House. The viewer is invited to sit within this lacelike structure on wooden pews illuminated by candlelight and hear choral singing from different faiths from hidden speakers placed all around. This chapel of safety embraces everyone and allows contemplation and peace.
Photo by Joss Ryder
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Geraldine Pilgrim recently designed the performance ofTenderfoot by Edith Peralman, directed by Penny Cherns. Tenderfoot was shown at the Drayton Arms Theatre, from the 26th through the 30th of April, 2022.
Tenderfoot by Edith Pearlman Two people from two very different life experiences share the same space for a short length of time. Both are carrying uncomfortable and unspoken memories. Their meeting means that finally they can own the choices made and move forward, however hesitantly, leaving regrets behind. The subtlety and 'restrained tenderness' of Edith Pearlman’s writing creates a collision of distance and closeness; seeing through windows, watching the other. It explores the need for connection and the difference between seeing and understanding. The characters see each other through their own frames of reference and need. This production uses Pearlman's entire short story to explore the tracks, traces, tendrils and footprints of this text, to embody the language and explore life creating its own narrative. |
Photographer unknown
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Two in the Hand
A light installation by Geraldine Pilgrim was part of The Stourhead Christmas light trail. From the white doves of peace to the blue birds of happiness... Two in the Hand is an installation celebrating how the simplicity of seeing birds in a tree can bring joy to us all. Two in the Hand ran during Christmas at Stourhead (November 2021 through January 2022). |
Photograph by Jimmy Lees
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HANDBAG at Stoke on Trent
Geraldine Pilgrim Performance Company ran a new HANDBAG performance for the Big Feast 2021 in Bethesda Gardens Hanley on Saturday 28 August 2021. The performance lasted 12 minutes and and was performed 7 times over the course of the afternoon. |
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Opera Creation Workshop,
Festival d'Aix-en-Provence Geraldine has been selected to be part of the 2021 Opera Creation Workshop of the Académie du Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. Out of the 92 applications they received for this residency, Geraldine is one of the fourteen participants selected for this program. |
Geraldine has been selected to be part of the 2021 Opera Creation Workshop of the Académie du Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. Out of the 92 applications they received for this residency, Geraldine is one of the fourteen participants selected for this program.
This emblematic workshop of the Académie of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence is a unique space for reflection, combing the different activities, backgrounds and aesthetics that make opera the multidisciplinary art that it is.
The workshop is structured around daily panel discussions, live performances, and conferences with the artists and other professionals who programme the Festival. It is a place for dialogue, discovery, and intellectual and artistic stimulation, where the issues that affect opera today and tomorrow are freely reassessed. The event aims to elicit new artistic intentions while simultaneously strengthening and diversifying the participants’ professional networks. The workshop will be led by Andrea Breth, the award-winning German stage director of both theatre and opera, and the former artistic director of the Schaubühne in Berlin. Her participation in the workshop marks Andrea Breth’s second collaboration with the Festival d’Aix, for which she recreated her production of Wolfgang Rihm’s Jakob Lenz during the 2019 edition.
Geraldine's participation in the Opera Creation Workshop has now been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions till summer 2022.
This emblematic workshop of the Académie of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence is a unique space for reflection, combing the different activities, backgrounds and aesthetics that make opera the multidisciplinary art that it is.
The workshop is structured around daily panel discussions, live performances, and conferences with the artists and other professionals who programme the Festival. It is a place for dialogue, discovery, and intellectual and artistic stimulation, where the issues that affect opera today and tomorrow are freely reassessed. The event aims to elicit new artistic intentions while simultaneously strengthening and diversifying the participants’ professional networks. The workshop will be led by Andrea Breth, the award-winning German stage director of both theatre and opera, and the former artistic director of the Schaubühne in Berlin. Her participation in the workshop marks Andrea Breth’s second collaboration with the Festival d’Aix, for which she recreated her production of Wolfgang Rihm’s Jakob Lenz during the 2019 edition.
Geraldine's participation in the Opera Creation Workshop has now been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions till summer 2022.
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A celebratory, online participatory performance with wonderful music, dancing and handbags.
Running through 2022. Viewing is free to everyone. Presented by Geraldine Pilgrim & Mountview London. |
Watch at www.geraldinepilgrim.com and www.mountview.org.uk.
In different rooms, remnants of parties the night before are cleared away. A woman sits in her bedroom dreaming, as she gets up a beat begins, and the sound of a classic dance track fills the air. She puts down her handbag and begins to dance…
Full information at our Calendar page.
In different rooms, remnants of parties the night before are cleared away. A woman sits in her bedroom dreaming, as she gets up a beat begins, and the sound of a classic dance track fills the air. She puts down her handbag and begins to dance…
Full information at our Calendar page.
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THEIR MOST OBEDIENT SERVANT came to a close at HAREWOOD HOUSE, YORKSHIRE.
Their Most Obedient Servant was a two-part installation celebrating Harewood’s Chippendale collection. |
Family Tree occupied the centre of the Courtyard (the 18th century stables), and was in situ until 04 November 2018. Here, Geraldine re-imagined a previous installation to connect with Chippendale, his family, and his craft; a conception of Thomas Chippendale, inspired by his love of wood, dreaming of his own family tree.
Root and Branch, The other element in the installation came to a close on 4 September 2018. This work was positioned in the Terrace Gallery, and laid bare the connection between the grandest finished piece of furniture, and the raw material and energy of its source; wood from the tree.
"Their most obedient servant” was the term used by Thomas Chippendale at the end of his introduction to his ground-breaking furniture design catalogue,The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director.
Root and Branch, The other element in the installation came to a close on 4 September 2018. This work was positioned in the Terrace Gallery, and laid bare the connection between the grandest finished piece of furniture, and the raw material and energy of its source; wood from the tree.
"Their most obedient servant” was the term used by Thomas Chippendale at the end of his introduction to his ground-breaking furniture design catalogue,The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker’s Director.
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Inteatro, Polverigi Italy
Geraldine led a Site-Specific Training Residency as part of the Sipario Bis Bis training programme in Theatre, Cinema and TV for professional ltalian artists for Inteatro at Villa Nappi, Polverigi, Ancona, Italy. Other course leaders for the programme were Marco Baliani, Lucia Mascina and Massimo De Lorenzo. Geraldine will be returning to Italy in February and May 2019. The Training Residency followed on from a Site-Specific Theatre Practice Workshop, recently delivered at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018. Royal Court Theatre, London Geraldine took part in the Sharing The Stage Symposium. "Over the past three years, a group of leading theatre companies and practitioners have been working together to interrogate and question the role of participatory arts practice. Shows were made in prisons, abandoned docks, care homes, favelas, a football stadium, repurposed buildings and alternative spaces across the U.K. Communities shared stories, films were made, blogs uploaded, nights and days of invigorating debate were had with artists, participants and policy makers. Now we’re regrouping and you are invited to be part of what comes next. Hosted and presented by companies from the Sharing the Stage network including: National Theatre of Scotland, Sage Gateshead, Graeae Theatre Company, Contact Theatre Manchester, Synergy Theatre Company, Geraldine Pilgrim, Royal Court Theatre and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation." Harewood House Yorkshire Geraldine presented a talk at Harewood House for Leeds Arts University students, focusing on the making and context of her two-part installation Their Most Obedient Servant (commissioned by Harewood House). Also presenting on the day, Lord Whitney design studio delved into the making and context of the Harewood immersive exhibition commission Seeds of Hope - Journey through Untold Stories. After The Missing Passenger - a Murder Mystery Exhibition Trail at the National Rail Museum York in 2017, the Geraldine Pilgrim Performance Company has been working on Geraldine’s Harewood House commission in Yorkshire, a 2- part site – specific installation celebrating Thomas Chippendale’s 300th anniversary: Their Most Obedient Servant opened March 23rd and her Terrace Gallery installation Root and Branch ran till September 2nd 2018, and her installation for the 18th century Courtyard Family Tree runs till November 4th 2018. Entry costs apply. Please see the Harewood House website for details. Geraldine was interviewed about this work on BBC Radio 4's Front Row on April 24th 2018. There is a Listen Again segment for the episode of Front Row which can be reached by clicking on this link. Geraldine was commissioned by Folkestone Quarterhouse to design Sleep Over. The installation was part of Normal? Festival of the Brain on May 12th, 2018. 15 people looked up at the stars during an overnight stay in Folkestone Quarterhouse theatre. Additionally, Geraldine has created, and is leading the MA Site- Specific Theatre Practice for Mountview in partnership with Shoreditch Town Hall - commencing January 2019. Please do share this information if you know of anyone who might be interested in applying. www.mountview.org.uk |