Skirts

(2014)

Skirts began as a movement research and improvisation project by Victoria Bradford and Jessica Cornish. Conception of the project began in the heart of the 2013-2014 “polar vortex” — or Chicago’s hellish winter. After some false starts and initial runs at the idea, Skirts was born with the receipt of a grant from the city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. These funds allowed the project to progress from a mere idea into a full-fledged research effort, choreographic exchange, and site-based improvisation project.

Bradford spent three months researching skirts and devising movement scores to correspond with each of four selected styles: Hoop (or ballroom), Work (or pencil), Sport (or tennis), and House (or apron). Cornish received these scores and the skirts by mail as prompts and instructions with which to go out and make movement. Along with videographers Ania Bilinska and Robin Lee, Cornish took to the sites of Chicago and acted on the scores in each skirt.


Date

Winter 2013 – Spring 2014

Place

Lake Charles, LA and Chicago, IL

Collaborating Artists

Victoria Bradford, Jessica Cornish

Video

Ania Bilinska, Robin Lee, © A House Unbuilt