7/31/2019 Choreographer, performer and conceptual artist, Ann Carlson

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ThisspringsArtistsSalonbroughtchoreographer,

performerandconceptualartistAnnCarlsontothe

ClaymanInstituteforadynamicmixofperformanceanddiscussion.AnnCarlson,aguestartisttheStanford

Universitydramadepartmentanddivisionofdance

sinceMarch2010,describesStanfordcampusasabig

containerofideasfromwhichweallborrowthe

fragilenessoflifethebreath.

Withrapid-firedelivery,Carlsonbeganthesalon

energeticallyauctioningoffofthebreathtothehighestbidder.Bewilderedatfirst,theaudience

begantoplacebidsontheinhale,theexhale,andeventhespacebetweenthetwo.HowhighdoI

bid?EffortlesslytradingtheMissourianaccentforhernaturalIllinoisian,Carlsonnextencouragedthe

audiencetoleaveourseats,movearoundandexploreaspacethatwasntours.Weside-stepped

aroundfurniture,examinedthecornersoftheroomandranourhandsalongsurfaces.Inthesebrief

exercise ,asinherperformancework,Carlsondrawsourattentiontotheelementsofoureveryday

experiencesthatsurroundandsustainus.

Whileideasforherworkspringfrommultiplelocationsofinspiration,Carlsonisparticularly

fascinatedbywhatshecallsthenavegestureafunctionalgestureoftheeveryday.Findingthese

subtlemovementsintheworkplaceandbyobservingordinaryinteractionsbetweenpeople,shethen

sequences,layers,andrecaststhesemovementsto designanewchoreography.Trainedindance

attheUniversityofUtahandUniversityofArizona,Carlsonsworkalsoborrowsfromawidevariety

ofdisciplinesincludingperformance,theater,publicandconceptualart.Carlsonisevenagraduateof

theAuctioneerSchoolofKansasCity,Missouri,whereshelearnedhowtopronouncedollaras

daughtertokeepthewordsflowingoffhertongue.Groundedinthelifeoftheeveryday,Carlsons

workencouragesustore-examinethoselivingexperiences.

Inadditiontoexploringthewhatandthehowoftheroutinesweperformdaily,Carlsonexplainsthat

animportantthemeforherworkisaskingthequestionof,whogetsaccess?Whoisallowedto

perform?Oftenproject-basedandorganizedwithinaseries,herworkengagesdiverseperformers

professionalactors,non-actingprofessionals,faintinggoats,dogs,andevenagoldfishandhave

beenperformedinbarnyards,museumsandstagesacrossthenationandaroundtheglobe.In

speakingaboutherseriesAnimals,Carlsonadmitsshelikestheunpredictablelayerthatanimals

bringtoliveperformance,butshealsohighlightsthattheseunconventionalperformerspushusto

Choreographer, performer, and conceptual

artist, Ann Carlson Borrowing their breathbySONJA SWENSONon 06/06/11 at 1:01 pm

7/31/2019 Choreographer, performer and conceptual artist, Ann Carlson

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Copyright2010BoardofTrusteesofLelandStanfordJuniorUniversity.Allrightsreserved.

explorethepermeablemembranebetweenartificeandreality.Ratherthanworrythatthedog

mightupstagetheactress,Carlsoninvitesthespectatortonoticehowwenoticetobecome

awareofourbiasesandbecomeconsciousthatwemaybegivinggreaterattentiontothedog,

perhapsexpectingittorunoff-stage.

Inthisway,Carlsonsworkencouragesustobothbroadenandre-imaginethewaywethinkabout,

respondto,andinteractwithperformance.Inthethree-partvideoworkMadame710,AnnCarlsonandvideographerMaryEllenStromexploresthemesoffemininity,possessionandconsumerism.

Carlson,dressedinaclearplasticraincoatstuffedwithmoney,performsaritual-likedanceof

gratitudeandhumilityaroundacalm,contemplativedairycow.Asshemovesaroundthestarkwhite

gallerywithhaystrewnacrossthefloor,thecomplexmutualityoftheirrelationshipunfolds;Carlson

suggeststhatsheisinthecowsserviceandthecowissimultaneouslyinherservice.

Constantlychallengingourconsciousnessandsensitizingustoourrelationshipstooursurroundings,

AnnCarlsonhasreceivedoverthirtycommissionsandnumerousawardsforherartisticwork,

includinga2009USAArtistsFellowship,a2008AmericanMasterpieceaward,a2003Guggenheim

Fellowshipinchoreography,a2003NewYorkFoundationfortheArtsFellowship,andathree-year

choreographicfellowshipfromtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts.AsaVisitingScholaratthe

StanfordHumanitiesCenterthisacademicyear,CarlsonhasbeenteachingandleadingworkshopswithStanfordstudentsandfacultyaswellasdevelopingnew,livetheatricalworkonedesigned

especiallyforinfantandveryyoungspectator-participants.Drawinguponawealthofearly

childhoodresearch,shehasbeenexploringhowinfantsperceiveandinteractwithsymbols,color,

gestureandmetaphor.

WeencourageyoutokeepaneyeoutforAnnCarlsonsdevelopingworkandalsotoinviteyouto

theupcomingArtistSalons.TheClaymanInstitutelooksforwardtohostingStanfordDramaArtist-in-

ResidenceCherieMoragadiscusshernewplaythisFall.