Audition Notice for Performers:
Lygia Clark’s Corpo Coletivo (1970) and Elastic Net (1974) 2 October 2024 – 12 January 2025 (Press and Private View 1 October 2024)

The I and the You marks the first major UK public gallery presentation of the pioneering and influential Brazilian artist Lygia Clark (1920 –1988, Brazil).

The exhibition focuses on Clark’s artistic journey from the mid-1950s to early 1970s, a particularly volatile period in Brazil’s history when radical modes of artistic practice emerged. Clark was a central figure in the Brazilian Neo-concrete movement (1959 – 1961) alongside fellow artists, Amilcar de Castro, Ferreira Gullar, Hélio Oiticica and Lygia Pape (amongst others), who were frustrated by what they felt were the limitations of ‘concrete art’, whereby the form of the work was conceived entirely before being produced. Neo-concrete artists advocated for more intuitive, experimental means of creating across abstract geometric art, poetry or theatre. They invited more active modes of relating to the art object, inviting audiences to participate in artworks. Clark was one of the artists who took this participation to ever more radical proposals.

The I and the You presents some of Clark’s participatory group work, developed during her time in Paris following the May 1968 protests. Having fled the increasingly repressive political environment in Brazil, her work in France, fueled by the revolutionary spirit of the time and place, sought to expand the boundaries of art by exploring questions of relationality and therapy. At Whitechapel Gallery, these works will be activated through a series of performances, for which we seek performers.

About the works:
We are seeking dynamic and enthusiastic performers to bring two of Lygia Clark’s 1970s participatory works to life: Corpo Coletivo and Elastic Net. These interactive works explore themes of collective identity and interdependence through unique physical interactions and movement.

I. Corpo Coletivo, 1970
Video of performance [X]

This iconic 1970 work features participants dressed in interconnected, brightly coloured jumpsuits, sewn together at various points. This unique setup restricts individual movement, requiring participants to move as a cohesive unit. The performance navigates the space, highlighting themes of collective identity and interdependence.

Performance description:
• Performers wear jumpsuits
• Performance ‘director’ will sew the jumpsuits together, connecting them at various points
• The colourful jumpsuits create a visually striking sequence as participants make coordinated movements
• The collective body compresses, moves to the ground, and continuously seeks balance, transforming at every moment
• Performers are invited (but not obliged) to comment on the experience as it happens.

II. Elastic Net, 1974:
Video of performance [X]

We are also activating Elastic Net, another innovative work by Lygia Clark. This work involves participants using elastic bands to create an interactive and dynamic structure.

Performance description:
• Participants weave a net from ordinary rubber bands
• The act of weaving the net is as important as its use, emphasising collective creation and interaction
• The elastic net allows for a complex structure that moves and stretches as performers interact by pushing against or moving through it.

Performance dates:
• There will be 5 performance days for activating both Corpo Coletivo and Elastic Net and two mandatory workshops (one online, one in-person)
• Performance times within these dates will be shared with the performers in due course, but performers should be committed to the entire performance slot

• The dates are as follows:
1. TBC date week beginning 23rd September: 2-hour online training session providing context to Lygia Clark’s work (will be recorded in case unable to attend)
2. Saturday 28th September 9.30am-4pm (mandatory workshop/rehearsal)
3. Tuesday 1 October 9-5pm
4. Tuesday 8 October 12pm-8pm
5. Wednesday 20 November 12-8pm
6. Saturday 23rd November 10.30am-6pm
7. Saturday 7th December 10.30am-6pm.

Should you not be available on all dates you are still invited to apply, but you must be available for the rehearsal and at least 3 performance dates.

Performance schedule:
• The engagement requires four performances per day, of up to an hour each. Each of the two works will be performed twice a day.
• Whilst the performances will vary in length, due to the nature of the work, they will not exceed one hour per performance and are likely to run for around 30 minutes.
• The final performance schedule will be shared with performers in advance of the recruitment. Each day will include a one-hour lunch break, as well as breaks between each performance.
• A green room will be provided so performers can rest in-between performances. Training and workshop details: The project will provide training for performers who will activate both works during the run of exhibition (2 October 2024 – 12 January 2025). Training sessions and performances will be paid individually, and performers are responsible for invoicing the gallery.

Training schedule:
1. Online Session (date tbc, week beginning 23rd September)
• 2-hour session providing context to Lygia Clark’s work
• In this online training session, Lygia Clark’s interlocutors revisit memories of life and work with the artist. These experiences relate to a period in which Clark expanded her artistic practice to other fields of knowledge, building a sensory and therapeutic work. Simultaneous translation provided
• This session will be recorded for those who cannot make it. It will be beneficial to join live and be part of the Q&A and attendees will be paid £100 each.

2. In-person workshop/rehearsal (Saturday 28th September)
• Location: Whitechapel Gallery, E1 7QX • Time: 9.30am-4pm
• A stage manager and intimacy adviser will lead the session

Compensation for Performances and in-person workshop:
• Day rate: £126 excluding VAT (ITC/Equity minimum). Payment will be made on submission of an invoice • Performers will be contracted as freelancers and subject to our freelancers’ check
• Please note: Regrettably, no contributions can be made towards any travel or subsistence required for the engagement entirely located at the Whitechapel Gallery in London.

Who we are looking for:
We are looking for a pool of 15-20 performers in London. As up to 10 performers will be requested to perform on each of the performance days, we commit to offering each performer at least 2 days of paid work (as well as the paid training). Each performer must sign up to at least 3 of the performance dates.

We want to work with performers who feel comfortable doing group work. You do not need to be a professional dancer or actor, but comfortable performing with others and in a gallery setting.

Please be aware that as a requirement of the engagement you will:
• Repeat choreography several times a day
• Work closely with a group • Perform in a gallery space to members of the public. Photography and filming will be permitted
• Wear costumes (suits) provided by the Gallery
• Work with props.

Equality & Inclusion:
If you would like support or have any queries regarding the format or submission of the application, please contact: [email protected]

We encourage applications from those who represent our communities and expect all those that we work with to firmly commit to working with the Gallery to create an equal, diverse and inclusive workplace. Our ambition is to reflect society and to create a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all to experience art.

Applicants must be aged 18+ at the time of the application.

How to apply:
If you are interested in participating in this unique performance and training opportunity, please send your CV and a brief statement of interest (up to 500 words) to [email protected]

Deadline: 2nd September 2024.
Successful applicants will be contacted w/c 9 th September 2024.
Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted.