Still Lives - Gregory Lorenzutti Photo: Gregory Lorenzutti
Still Lives - Luke George and Daniel Kok Photo: Supplied
Still Lives - Auckland is a live performance artwork combining what are sometimes considered opposite ends of the spectrum; rugby and art.
Following two weeks of rehearsal, the artwork will be at the Concert Chamber at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 30 March.
Over two and a half hours, eight female rugby players/participants will be bound together with ropes in a scrum formation and then untangled. The players will be transformed into a living sculpture; capturing a moment in time.
This follows successful runs in Shanghai, Taipei, Venice, and Melbourne.
It’s hoped the performance piece will put a spotlight on issues faced in womens’ rugby; sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia.
Audiences can move around the space freely and there will be accompanying video installations of interviews with the participants on their journey with rugby, their struggles and the challenges they’ve faced in the sport.
For artists Daniel Kok (Singapore/Berlin) and Luke George (Melbourne), art and rugby share many similarities. Kok and George both hail from dance and choreography backgrounds and appreciate the physicality and accuracy required in rugby, particularly when forming a scrum.
This installation is also physically demanding, with players being tied together and suspended almost horizontally, and requires teamwork.
The duo have been collaborating for the past 10 years after being introduced to each other by a mutual artist friend. It’s a partnership that has endured both time and distance and one they’re very proud of.
Travelling to various countries also means the opportunity to meet other artists along the way, establish new connections and continue to work collaboratively.
Kok and George spoke to Culture 101’s Perlina Lau about how this installation differs from the previous pieces in the series and their hope it’ll draw in a broader audience.
