And all the world came to see her in her shining glory, A public woman, so sensual and courtly
A Sailor’s Bride
This project was conducted during a a one month fellowship in Venice with the British Council. The work explores the relationship between public and private spaces in context to: housing, community, tourism and the poetry of Veronica Franco (the 16th century Venetian courtesan). Based on contemporary and historical accounts of living in Venice to create a spoken word poem and a somatic performance: The Blindfold Parade - a 45 minute blindfolded walk through the city.
“This was an exploration of physicality within the public space, and an attempt to experience the deep pulse of the city beyond its visual beauty.Moving through the city, seen but not seeing, a public exhibition, a secret sensuality, embodying the duality of this mystic place. This was an exercise of trust - trust in your senses, trust in each step, trust in the world around you. And this is an exercise in touch - the touch of fumbling fingers on a crumbling wall, steadying; the light touch of a hand on your back, guiding; the warming touch of sunlight on your skin, soothing. This is also an exercise in listening - communicating with subtle gestures, a hand pushes you on, stops you here, a slight inclination this way or that, the strength of pressure, the pulse and urgency, measuring your step. But most of all this is an exercise of place, because what else is Venice but beauty?”