An impossible space, an impossible chair, in an impossible time.
In Watson’s first ever solo work they imagine a Buster Keaton-esque tragically comedic character, existing in a world one surreal step removed from our own. Inspired by the works of surrealist painter René Magritte, they lace a simple proposition, a person and a chair, with existential ideas of consciousness. Exploring the nonsensical nature of life and death, through a lens of absurd, silent film-esque humour.
In their continued collaboration with composer and sound artist Adam Vincent Clarke, Watson and Clarke craft a theatrical, surreal and cinematic landscape hued by the works of Bach.
Performance History:
Messums West - Festival of Dance UK (2023)
Pavilion Dance South West UK (2023)
Bartholomew Fair London UK (2023)
Theatre Basse Passiere FR (2023)
FABRIC Nottingham UK (2024)
Concept, Creation and Performance: John-William Watson Sound Design: Adam Vincent Clarke
Concept, Creation and Performance: John-William Watson Sound Design: Adam Vincent Clarke Lighting Design: Clancy Flynn Creative Support: Beth Emmerson, Bakani Pick-Up, Joshua Cartmell (MELSH) & goodnighttheskye
Commissioned by Messums West Special thanks to Peter Watson
Photography by Jamie Radall (top) & Jacob Sutton (left)
Trailer
“We are surrounded by curtains. We only perceive the world behind a curtain of semblance. At the same time, an object needs to be covered in order to be recognised at all.”
— René Magritte