Abstract
Orchard Portraits is a seven-screen video installation created by Rosemary Lee and filmmaker Roswitha Chesher. The installation comprises of six synced, framed video portraits placed on easels, each with their own sound, and one framed video landscape on an easel with its own sound in a separate room. The work was created using an interdisciplinary approach and features five local senior soloists and sixty local school children. It was shot in a wild orchard and tours to galleries.
The research aimed to:
Explore how to create an intimate portrait of both human and tree simultaneously, that embraced the differences of each tree and soloist whilst adhering to a uniting tight, rhythmic compositional structure applied to each screen.
Investigate the portrayal of the relationship of aging and youthful humans and ancient fruit trees through choreographic, film and editing techniques.
Test the potential of illuminating this centuries old relationship by particularly exploring touch between body and tree.
Experiment with filming through all seasons to convey the life of the trees whilst creating a coherent installation where the six portrait screens can be viewed and listened to both individually and together.
The research investigated the formal and affective potential for an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on three distinct but related disciplines; visual arts practices, screen-dance, participatory practice. It extends Lee’s investigation into the human figure in relation to the environment as seen in her video works boy [1]-Without [2]. Orchard Portraits also furthers her exploration of the potential of combining landscape and portrait orientation as seen in her previous installation Liquid Gold is the Air [3]. The work draws influence from both new nature, scientific and poetic writings whilst being responsive to and affected by each tree, senior soloist and the children. It represents a further experiment into the possibility of making evident our interdependency, evolutionary history and ancestral relationship with trees through a dance work.
[1] Lee, Rosemary (1995). boy. BBC: Dance for the Camera. [film]
[2] Lee, Rosemary (2013). Without. Derry Londonderry: City of Culture, Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company. [video multiscreen installation]
[3] Lee, Rosemary and Chesher, Roswitha (2015). Liquid Gold is the Air [video multiscreen installation]
The research aimed to:
Explore how to create an intimate portrait of both human and tree simultaneously, that embraced the differences of each tree and soloist whilst adhering to a uniting tight, rhythmic compositional structure applied to each screen.
Investigate the portrayal of the relationship of aging and youthful humans and ancient fruit trees through choreographic, film and editing techniques.
Test the potential of illuminating this centuries old relationship by particularly exploring touch between body and tree.
Experiment with filming through all seasons to convey the life of the trees whilst creating a coherent installation where the six portrait screens can be viewed and listened to both individually and together.
The research investigated the formal and affective potential for an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on three distinct but related disciplines; visual arts practices, screen-dance, participatory practice. It extends Lee’s investigation into the human figure in relation to the environment as seen in her video works boy [1]-Without [2]. Orchard Portraits also furthers her exploration of the potential of combining landscape and portrait orientation as seen in her previous installation Liquid Gold is the Air [3]. The work draws influence from both new nature, scientific and poetic writings whilst being responsive to and affected by each tree, senior soloist and the children. It represents a further experiment into the possibility of making evident our interdependency, evolutionary history and ancestral relationship with trees through a dance work.
[1] Lee, Rosemary (1995). boy. BBC: Dance for the Camera. [film]
[2] Lee, Rosemary (2013). Without. Derry Londonderry: City of Culture, Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company. [video multiscreen installation]
[3] Lee, Rosemary and Chesher, Roswitha (2015). Liquid Gold is the Air [video multiscreen installation]
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Media of output | Film |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Jul 2023 |
Additional Information
Orchard Portraits was commissioned by Surrey Hill Arts, it was installed and open to the public- July to November 2023 at West Horsley Place Surrey where it was shot. From November to January 2024 it was installed at Limerick City Ary Gallery Ireland.Keywords
- dance
- dance on screen
- trees
- age
- Portraits
- landscape
- Participation
- Installation