Stratford Living – The Exhibition
14 September 2017
Willi Dorner: Stratford Living. Photographer: Lisa Rastl
“A fascinating glimpse into the redevelopment of Stratford from behind private doors which are usually closed. It took me into a part of the city that I would otherwise probably have never explored” Audience member
Over the August bank holiday weekend five Stratford residents generously opened their homes to members of the general public as part of a photographic exhibition of work by Austrian choreographer Willi Dorner. The photographs had been captured earlier in the summer as Dorner had worked with seven dancers and photographer Lisa Rastl to create human sculptures and tableaux in the very same homes in which the exhibition took place.
On two gloriously sunny days the homeowners and East London Dance staff welcomed audiences into this range of homes stretching from Stratford Centre to the Olympic Park. Audiences members were given the opportunity to explore the local area, get a glimpse behind closed doors, meet the residents and experience a photographic exhibition like no other, of work by an internationally renowned artist. The experience offered the sort of unique insight into the changing landscape of Stratford that perhaps only art can give.
If you missed out you will be able to see a selection of the images displayed at Sadler’s Wells for the duration for Dance Umbrella (11 – 28 Oct). The exhibition is free and open daily at Sadler’s Wells’ Garden Court Cafe.
“It was wonderful to see a home space used in such a creative and different way… I feel very lucky to be part of it” Homeowner
“The whole experience was an amazing mixture/feeling/memory of impersonal abstract ideas & images and very personal/human contact & emotions, very ying yang and perfectly balanced.” Audience member
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Images 1 -5, 8 & 11 Willi Dorner: Stratford Living. Photographer: Lisa Rastl
Images 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 Courtesy of East London Dance
Stratford Living by Willi Dorner, commissioned and produced by East London Dance in association with Sarah Trist Dance Management Agency.
Stratford Living is part of Our Living Art, a community arts programme for residents of Chobham Manor, the first new neighbourhood at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The programme is commissioned by London Legacy Development Corporation and is funded by Chobham Manor LLP, a joint venture between L&Q and Taylor Wimpey.
Stratford Living is made possible by INTPA – INTERNATIONAL NET FOR DANCE AND PERFORMANCE AUSTRIA of Tanzquartier Wien with funds by Federal Chancellery of Austria (BKA) and BMEIA.
Supported by Arts Council England.