Collective Dreaming – Embodied Solutions

• Director and Research Leader: Hristo Ushev
• Performers / Research Participants: Chi Hsuan Lin, Diana Snizhko and Yun Cheng
• Soundscapes: Kohei Nakatsu 
• Choreography: Hristo Ushev, in collaboration with the performers
• Research Supervisors: Dr Naomi Lefebvre Sell and Prof Jonathan Clark 
• Head of Production: Fay Patterson  
• Photo by Hristo Ushev

Part of the Parallax Series, a showcase for Research staff and student performances

The physical performance “Collective Dreaming – Embodied Solutions” is informed by the creative methodology developed during the Collective Dreaming phase of the doctoral research project Encountering the Unconscious. The piece is created in collaboration with three performance artists: Chi Hsuan Lin, Diana Snizhko, and Yun Cheng. Accompanied by Kohei Nakatsu’s soundscapes, “Collective Dreaming – Embodied Solutions” appears as the final artistic outcome of the investigation.

The work commenced by following pre-designed experiments aimed at identifying individual psychophysical responses to visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile stimuli associated with the archetypal element of the universal solvent, liquid water. The focus of investigation then shifted to the psychophysical processes that were triggered. Considering these processes as glimpses into the unconscious, the creation of Embodied Solutions was initiated.

“Collective Dreaming – Embodied Solutions” is a synergistic experiment that combines imaginative and tactile personal experiences, seen as distinguishable solutes. The piece establishes a solvent realm that contains these solutes and that provides a space for them to occur, to interact, to dissolve and to transform as they compose an abstract amalgamation of visceral and psychological landscapes.

This Performance takes place in the Laban Theatre, Laban Building. The address is Creekside, London SE8 3DZ and if you are new to our buildings, the nearest transport links are Cutty Sark DLR or Deptford Bridge DLR, or Deptford station which is 15 minutes from London Bridge.