Press Release: IWM North presents Second Breath with English National Ballet for Museums at Night to mark First World War Centenary Saturday 17 May

[Jan McNulty]

Reactions14:

Second Breath with English National Ballet

 

IWM North, part of Imperial War Museums, in Manchester

17 May 2014, 6.30pm – 9pm

£10; booking essential via Quaytickets.com

 

IWM North presents Second Breath with English National Ballet to mark First World War Centenary

 

A unique, one-night-only performance by English National Ballet will be performed at IWM North, part of Imperial War Museums, to mark the First World War Centenary. The piece has been specially created by award-winning, internationally acclaimed British choreographer Russell Maliphant.

 

The 20 minute performance is part of a packed evening that will include live music by Vintage 78 DJs; object handling; and live poetry performances with readings of works by Dylan Thomas and Wilfred Owen.

 

IWM has been commissioning artists to create responses to conflict since the First World War. Now, to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, IWM North in Manchester is delivering a major season of new high-quality artworks and live performances called Reactions14.

 

As part of the launch of the series this May, English National Ballet will perform Second Breath,  inspired by letters, diaries, photographs and personal stories from IWM’s national collections.

 

The choreography by Russell Maliphant has been specially worked for this performance in IWM North’s Main Exhibition Space. It will be unique opportunity to view this acclaimed ballet performance surrounded by the context of objects from IWM’s collections, such as the field gun that fired the British Army’s first shot of the First World War.

 

Graham Boxer, IWM North Director said: ‘This year is the start of the centenary of the First World War, a landmark anniversary which cultural events around the world will mark. This powerful performance by the English National Ballet in particular is a must see. Our Reactions14 series will give contemporary relevance to the First World War, challenging visitors to think about the conflict in new and different ways.’

 

Reactions14: Second Breath with English National Ballet for Museums at Night takes place at IWM North on Saturday 17 May from 6.30pm. English National Ballet performances are at 7.45pm and 8.30pm. Tickets are £10. Booking is essential, via www.quaytickets.com.

 

Over 2014, IWM North’s Reactions14 series will feature including new works such as a 30 day live drawing in August by artist Mark Anstee and a new composition by BBC Philharmonic performed in autumn based on a personal story on display in the museum.

 

For more information visit www.iwm.org.uk or connect with IWM @I_W_M #IWM North or Facebook.com/iwm.north

 

– Ends –

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

Russell Maliphant Biography

Russell Maliphant trained at the Royal Ballet School and graduated into Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet Company before leaving to pursue a career as an independent dancer. He subsequently performed with DV8 Physical Theatre, Michael Clark & Company, Rosemary Butcher, and Laurie Booth – with whom he was awarded the Time Out Live Award (1991) for ‘raising improvisational dance to new heights’.

 

Between 1991–1994 between independent projects, he studied anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, and qualified as a practitioner of the Rolfing  Method of Structural Integration (or Rolfing®). These studies inform both his teaching and choreographic work, along with a diverse range of body practices and techniques including classical ballet, contact improvisation, yoga, capoeira and tai chi. Since 1994 he has collaborated closely with lighting designer Michael Hulls, evolving a language where movement and light are intimately connected and the meeting point becomes a language in itself. He formed Russell Maliphant Company in 1996 and has also worked with renowned companies and artists including Sylvie Guillem, Robert Lepage, Isaac Julian, BalletBoyz®, Bayerisches Staatsballet, and Lyon Opera Ballet. In 2002 he received the Time Out Live award for outstanding collaboration for his work Sheer and in 2003 received a South Bank Show dance award for Choice. At the end of that year he created Broken Fall for Sylvie Guillem, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, which premiered at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and received an Olivier award for best new dance production.

 

Broken Fall was restaged in 2004 as part of an evening of three of Maliphant’s works titled Rise and Fall, and received the Critics’ Circle National Dance award for best modern choreography. Rise and Fall toured for two years and in 2005 Sylvie Guillem invited Maliphant to create an evening of work for her to dance with him, culminating in the duet evening PUSH. This work premiered at Sadler’s Wells and received a South Bank Show award and an Olivier award in 2006. PUSH has since toured throughout the world and continues to do so. Its creation was followed by two artistically diverse collaborations: Cast No Shadow with visual artist Isaac Julien, and Eonnagata which was created and performed with theatre director Robert Lepage and Sylvie Guillem.

 

In 2009 Maliphant created AfterLight part 1 for an evening titled In the Spirit of Diaghilev, Sadler’s Wells Theatres celebration of the centennial of the Ballets Russes. This received the Critics’ Circle National Dance award for best modern choreography in 2010 and was also nominated for an Olivier award. Parts 2 and 3 of AfterLight followed and toured together with part 1 as a full evening.  At the end of January 2012 his next full length work, The Rodin Project opened at Théâtre National de Chaillot in Paris, and continues to tour. In the same year it was adapted for film, in a collaboration with the directors Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones, titled 'Erebus', with music by James Lavelle. Maliphant’s most recent work, Fallen was created for the BalletBoyz® and premiered in January 2013. Russell Maliphant became an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells in 2005 and was awarded an honorary doctorate of arts from Plymouth University in 2011.

 

 

 

REACTIONS14: 

ADDITIONAL EVENTS AND INSTALLATIONS AT IWM NORTH IN MAY AND JUNE

 

Reactions14:  Vertical Echoes by Bill Fontana

Thursday 1 May – 21 September 2014

Free Entry. Runs until September 2014.

 

The First World War sounds of a Sopwith Camel Biplane and an artillery field gun will echo throughout IWM North from May 2014. The major art installation – Vertical Echoes - has been created by internationally renowned composer and sound artist Bill Fontana. Fontana, who has a reputation for his pioneering experiments in sound, has worked on projects around the world including the Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern.

 

The Vertical Echoes installation is part of Reactions14 - a major season of high-quality artworks and live performances specially commissioned to mark the First World War. The dramatic First World War sounds of a Sopwith Camel Biplane and an artillery field gun will rise and fall as visitors enter IWM North through the 55m high AirShard - one of three shards that form the building’s unique design representing a globe shattered by conflict.

 

 

 

Reactions14:  The Sleeping Green Between by Jennifer Vickers

Saturday 14 June until Sunday 21 September 2014

Main Exhibition Space

An emotive installation by textile artist Jennifer Vickers, specially commissioned by IWM North as part of Reactions14 - a major season of high-quality artworks and live performances to mark the centenary of the First World War.  The quilt is inspired by the artist’s own family connections, exploring the relationship between people and their past. Previous works have included exhibits at the V&A Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery.

 

 

Jennifer Vickers Sweetheart Pin Cushion Workshop

Saturday 14 June, 1pm – 4pm (Ideal for ages 14+)

£25, Limited places available. Booking essential

Libeskind Rooms

Join textile artist Jennifer Vickers to create your own embroidered pin cushion, inspired by those made in the First World War by convalescing soldiers.  Explore hand stitching, beading, image transfer and applique in this exclusive workshop.

 

Jennifer’s most recent work, The Sleeping Green Between, is newly on display at IWM North. The specially commissioned quilt installation is inspired by the artist’s own family connections to the First World War and is part of Reactions14, a series of artistic responses to mark the Centenary.  Suitable for all levels of sewing experience.

 

Tickets £25, all materials included in cost.  Limited places available. Booking essential via quaytickets.com

 

 

Reactions14: Through the Eye of a Needle: First World War Craft Day

Saturday 14 June, 11am – 4.30pm (all ages)

Get stitching with a full day of activities inspired by craft during the First World War, as part of IWM North’s Reactions14 programme of artistic responses to mark the Centenary.  Meet textile artist Jennifer Vickers and discover the inspiration behind her new quilt installation, specially commissioned and newly on display at IWM North; join in mass participation embroidery with Manchester Craft and Design Centre; take a tour with a textile conservator and discover the craft behind intricate pin cushions made by convalescing soldiers; craft along to authentic tunes from the era with a live soundtrack from Vintage78 DJs or head to the WaterShard Café to enjoy Afternoon Tea for two (£15).

 

See full programme for the day at iwm.org.uk/north

 

 

Perspectives14: Resistance

Sunday 11^th May, 2.30-3.30pm.

Free, Booking required. Tickets released 3 April

Libeskind Rooms

Perspectives14 is a series of monthly talks and discussions led by artists, historians and subject specialists at IWM North to mark the First World War Centenary. 

 

Ahead of International Conscientious Objector Day, discover more about those who resisted the call to action in the First World War and the consequences they faced.

 

Cyril Pearce, author of Comrades in Conscience: the story of an English community’s opposition to the Great War, will share new thoughts on communities of resistance in Britain during the conflict. Ingrid Sharp, University of Leeds, will look beyond the wartime propaganda to explore German resistance to the war.

 

Free, booking required via quaytickets.com

 

Perspectives14: Global

Sunday 8 June, 2.30-3.30pm

Free, Booking required

Libeskind Rooms

Perspectives14 is a series of monthly talks and discussions led by artists, historians and subject specialists at IWM North to mark the First World War Centenary. 

 

Join Dr Seán Lang, author of First World War for Dummies and Senior Lecturer in History at Anglia Ruskin University to consider a global perspective on the First World War. Explore insights into the actions and motivations of those involved and how each nation’s story fits into the bigger picture. In partnership with Trafford Wordfest.

 

Free, booking required via quaytickets.com

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

IWM North

The multi award winning IWM North is designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind to represent a globe shattered by conflict. The iconic building, innovative and dynamic exhibitions, use of digital media through hourly Big Picture Shows and public events explore how war shapes lives and inspire and encourage debate.

 

Open daily from 10am - 5pm with free admission at The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1TZ (close to MediaCityUK Metrolink and Junction 9 of the M60) T: 0161 836 4000 E:iwmnorth@iwm.org.uk www.iwm.org.uk

 

IWM

IWM (Imperial War Museums) tells the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War.

 

Our unique collections, made up of the everyday and the exceptional, reveal stories of people, places, ideas and events. Using these, we tell vivid personal stories and create powerful physical experiences across our five museums that reflect the realities of war as both a destructive and creative force. We challenge people to look at conflict from different perspectives, enriching their understanding of the causes, course and consequences of war and its impact on people’s lives.

 

IWM’s five branches are IWM London, IWM’s flagship branch with six floors of exhibitions and displays; IWM North, housed in an iconic award-winning building designed by Daniel Libeskind; IWM Duxford, a world renowned aviation museum and Britain's best preserved wartime airfield; Churchill War Rooms, housed in Churchill’s secret headquarters below Whitehall; and the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast.

 

First World War Centenary

2014 - 2018 marks the centenary of the First World War, a landmark anniversary for Britain and the world. IWM will mark the centenary by leading a vibrant, four year programme of cultural activities across the country, including the opening of brand new First World War galleries at IWM London in 2014. For more information visit www.1914.org