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Entanglements of Two: A Series of Duets
Drawing out the particularities of working in twos, with a focus on collaborative performance making, this book considers the duet as a particular configuration in which to think, the duo a microcosm of humankind, and presents everyday entanglement of form and practice seen through the lens of the smallest multiple unit.
This book explores the practical, philosophical and aesthetic implications of performers working in pairs. It focuses on a ten-year period in the work of Karen Christopher, alongside wider reflections on the duet as a concept in artistic and social life. The book presents an investigation of the entanglement of form and practice seen through the lens of the smallest multiple unit of the pair.
During this ten-year period, Christopher set out to create a series of duets by working with one other artist. The 25 pieces in the collection includes reflections from an international group of collaborators, artists, linguists, physicists, theologians, philosophers and performance scholars. Many of them deal with the question of artistic collaboration and entanglement, contemplating the significance of those terms both on an interpersonal and global level.
This book provides a fascinating insight into the creative working process of a particular artist, whilst providing a blueprint for how collaboration might take place. There are many passages that might provide inspiration for other artists and overall the book makes a moving and heartfelt plea for interpersonal open-ness and mutual investment.
Primary readership will be among international theatre-makers, artists, performance and art scholars, philosophers, teachers, directors, actors, dancers, performance artists and those interested in creative and personal writing about performance, art and art-making. It will be of particular relevance to those with an interest in Karen Christopher, or in the other contributors.
This book explores the practical, philosophical and aesthetic implications of performers working in pairs. It focuses on a ten-year period in the work of Karen Christopher, alongside wider reflections on the duet as a concept in artistic and social life. The book presents an investigation of the entanglement of form and practice seen through the lens of the smallest multiple unit of the pair.
During this ten-year period, Christopher set out to create a series of duets by working with one other artist. The 25 pieces in the collection includes reflections from an international group of collaborators, artists, linguists, physicists, theologians, philosophers and performance scholars. Many of them deal with the question of artistic collaboration and entanglement, contemplating the significance of those terms both on an interpersonal and global level.
This book provides a fascinating insight into the creative working process of a particular artist, whilst providing a blueprint for how collaboration might take place. There are many passages that might provide inspiration for other artists and overall the book makes a moving and heartfelt plea for interpersonal open-ness and mutual investment.
Primary readership will be among international theatre-makers, artists, performance and art scholars, philosophers, teachers, directors, actors, dancers, performance artists and those interested in creative and personal writing about performance, art and art-making. It will be of particular relevance to those with an interest in Karen Christopher, or in the other contributors.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2021
3 people want to read
About the author
Mary Paterson
7 books12 followersI am the author of The Monks and Me: How Forty Days in Thich Nhat Hanh's French Monastery Guided Me Home published in the United States. Translations include: Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Lithuanian, Czechoslovakian, Polish, Turkish, Indonesian, and Complex Chinese. Selected by Kristine Pidkameny, Editor-in-Chief, One Spirit® as one of Bookspan's Book Clubs List of Top 12 Books of 2012. "This wonderfully honest and often humorous chronicle is about finding a true home within ourselves. Life changing and inspiring, it will touch your heart."
Spiritual journeys often spring from crisis. When I was 28 years old, my mother died from breast cancer. I found healing through practicing yoga and volunteering at Wellspring - a cancer support centre. After my father died when I was 40, I lived for 40 days in Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastery in France, a deeply transformative experience. I have traveled extensively throughout India and Nepal studying yoga and meditation in-person with authentic teachers, most notably with renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. I have completed multiple certifications in yoga, meditation and mindfulness, and have over 22 years experience teaching people from all walks of life. In 2001, I founded a yoga/health centre in Toronto, which I operated for 11 years before selling the studio to travel, write, and teach more widely. I have designed wellness programmes for multiple organizations including TD Bank, Princess Margaret Hospital, BioScript Solutions, Hamilton Beach Brands, and Wellspring. In March 2021, I was the featured presenter for the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts inaugural virtual global conference, which was streamed to 50 properties in 20 countries.
In my first career, I was a professional ballet dancer. Highlights of my two decades of dancing include producing and performing in 3 Well-World Galas (charitable benefits for World Literacy and Wellspring) with Principal dancers from The National Ballet of Canada; The Nine Sentiments, a live dance/poetry collaboration with multiple award-winning author Michael Ondaatje that was adopted to film; and a theatrical production with singer/songwriter Jane Siberry. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University, Canada, and currently teach creative writing at The University of Toronto.
Forthcoming: A memoir about my journey throughout Nepal. www.marypaterson.ca
Spiritual journeys often spring from crisis. When I was 28 years old, my mother died from breast cancer. I found healing through practicing yoga and volunteering at Wellspring - a cancer support centre. After my father died when I was 40, I lived for 40 days in Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastery in France, a deeply transformative experience. I have traveled extensively throughout India and Nepal studying yoga and meditation in-person with authentic teachers, most notably with renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. I have completed multiple certifications in yoga, meditation and mindfulness, and have over 22 years experience teaching people from all walks of life. In 2001, I founded a yoga/health centre in Toronto, which I operated for 11 years before selling the studio to travel, write, and teach more widely. I have designed wellness programmes for multiple organizations including TD Bank, Princess Margaret Hospital, BioScript Solutions, Hamilton Beach Brands, and Wellspring. In March 2021, I was the featured presenter for the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts inaugural virtual global conference, which was streamed to 50 properties in 20 countries.
In my first career, I was a professional ballet dancer. Highlights of my two decades of dancing include producing and performing in 3 Well-World Galas (charitable benefits for World Literacy and Wellspring) with Principal dancers from The National Ballet of Canada; The Nine Sentiments, a live dance/poetry collaboration with multiple award-winning author Michael Ondaatje that was adopted to film; and a theatrical production with singer/songwriter Jane Siberry. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University, Canada, and currently teach creative writing at The University of Toronto.
Forthcoming: A memoir about my journey throughout Nepal. www.marypaterson.ca
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