IMPERMANENCE Presents... Powered by Jerwood

‍

//

‍

ELEFANTIN

By Cree Barnett-Williams

‍

Dance-theatre-satire explores human hopes of plastic icon: 

"I could sell my dreamhouse, move to Switzerland, get fat, grow old and die." - Barbie on turning 60. 

‍

Taking inspiration from music videos, advertising and comedy sketch shows, ELEFANTIN looks at female image and expectation, heteronormative and male gaze, female empowerment and aggressive sexuality in pop culture and asks the iconic 1959 Barbie, now 66, how she is and what she really wants for herself.

‍

‍

A graduate of Rambert School in London, Cree has worked in contemporary dance and dance theatre for over a decade, first as a freelance dancer and teacher in the UK and then as a member of the Johannes Wieland company at the State Theater Kassel. Most recently on stage Cree has worked with Christopher Roman (US/DE), Marina Mascarell (ES/NL), Elisabeth Schilling (DE/LU), Johannes Wieland (DE/US), as well as appearing on film in Issey Miyake’s “Rhizome” choreographed by Holly Blakey, Punchdrunk’s ‘The Third Day: Autumn’ (HBO/Sky Arts) and short film “Change” choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Her choreographic works have been seen at theatres and festivals including Staatstheater Kassel, The Place London, b12 Festival Berlin, Mayfest Bristol, London’s Royal Opera House Linbury Theatre and Sadler's Wells’ Lillian Baylis Studio. Cree has also moderated talks around intersectionality for Berlin b12 Festival’s “deep space” and “critical mass” platforms and believes the discussion and interview formats to be critical in connecting us as individuals through our experiences while also challenging the structures of dance and the arts.

‍

About the work:

Cree’s choreographic/artistic research and work encompasses dance, theatre and satire, questioning the concept of the authentic self, acknowledging the body as a vessel of trauma, a historical resource and a tool for storytelling and human connection. Her practice has a somatic focus stemming from the need to emphasise physical and mental wellbeing in symbiosis. Her aim is to use listening, language and conscious awareness of her own experience to create safe working spaces in which to exchange. She has an interest in seeing ourselves and understanding our humanness through humour and movement/language specificity. With her work so far Cree has been exploring topics including the political nature of the female body, dysfunctional interpersonal dynamics and the urgent need for joy.

‍