'Women of Mass Destruction' is a new dance and performance platform created and programmed specifically for Rich Mix.
An ecclectic evening of dance, it pulls focus to exciting new work from emerging female choreographers working in the UK today.
The inaugral platform took place in December 2012, with 5 choreographers from a wide range of dance disciplines all presenting work on the theme of 'the destruction of the female body'. Further details below. The evening was an incredible success, selling out and receiving excellent feedback.
In July 2014, Lydia presented 'Women of Mass Destruction 2: Destroying Mother Earth' with work from 4 artists including hereself, all looking at the relationship between women and nature. Another sell-out success, Lydia was delighted to be supported by Arts Council England and offer seed commissions to all participating choreographers. You can read a a review of the evening here
Expressions of Interest for WMD3 - now open
WMD3 has been scheduled for Rich Mix on 4th December 2015. Artists are invited to express an interest in being involved. Further information avaiable in the artist brief here. DEADLINE: 10am Monday 21st September.
Women of Mass Destruction 2: Destroying Mother Earth (July 2014, Rich Mix)
ARTISTS
Heidi Seppala - #Flashbacklash# Attached to a plant with a lead implanted to the dancer’s skin, she is violently attempting to connect with the nature in a place where it no longer exists. Konstantina Skalionta - Beauty-fool A performance that reflects on woman’s vulnerability towards body image concerns, her struggle to keep up with the unrealistic standards of beauty and perfection. Lydia Fraser-Ward - That Which Grows A symbolic reflection of how nature responds to the poison of secrets and lies buried under the earth, and how attempting to preserve what we hold most dear can actually destroy the world around us.
Nina von der Werth -We’re Headed For A Drought - But Aren’t They Lovely? The world is running out of water. The average UK citizen consumes 4,645 litres of the world’s water every day, mostly of in the form of ‘virtual water’ i.e. water that has been used to grow the crops that make the food we eat, and the clothes we wear. Three women have a message – but what's more relevant? The message, or the way they present it?
Women of Mass Destruction: Destroying the Female Body (December 2012, Rich Mix)
ARTISTS Archana Ballal - The Warrior within Her Raw physicality meets the subtlety of Bharatanatyam in this piece exploring female power and woman as a warrior. Jemma Bicknell - Body of Knowledge Mature performers explore how our bodies and perspectives change as we get older. Jenni Fletcher -My Way / This Way An exploration of human behaviour within a group, questioning how gender identity affects how we make ourselves heard. Lydia Fraser-Ward - Binge A social experiment in drunkenness - and faking it. Female dancers push the boundaries of acceptable behaviour in an attempt to conform to the norm of being off your head.
Maddy Wynne-Jones - Body of Work A fiercely evocative personal and collective war on bodies. An army of five women discover, mark, and destroy their bodies in a process of perfection and personal manufacturing.
