THE ZWILLINGE PROJECT EPISODE 9 BELFAST LONDON
The Zwillinge Project's Episode 9 Belfast (London) was an important and significant event for the ICA to be involved in in a number of ways. The project has been gathering apace and critical and popular interest for a number of years and I felt it was important that London and the ICA should be part of this developing project and growing interest. Due to the particular nature of its form and content the project was an ideal event for our Jezebel season of time based work looking at the new artforms and issues being addressed by women artists in the 90s.
The Zwillinge Project is a fascinating cross artform project that is not just a collaboration for the sake of it but a genuine meeting of practices and ideas to create and influence cultural dialogues and develop new audiences for new art.
Episode 9 was a project that embraced the possibilities of new technologies not as an end in itself but as a means of cultural production and communication - the ICA is committed to exploring the implications of new technologies both within cultural practice and the broader formation of society and these issues are at the heart of The Zwillinge Project Episode 9.
2 days for 6 hours in two sites: The Nash Room, London and The Balcony Room, Belfast
2 42ft tables, green baize, 20 metres of natural Irish Linen, 2 banners saying NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT TALKING, 2 sewing machines, 6 telephones, 4 fax machines, 2 videophones, 200 self portrait objects made by 25 children from Belfast, plastic bags.
performance presence: conversing with audience, stitching linen strips together, conversations between cities by members of audience.
additional performers: Fiona Seagrave and Lizzie Devlin
It was important for the ICA to be involved in a project that was presented in real time collaboration with another venue and particularly one in Northern Ireland. We value our national and international relationships with likeminded organisations but rarely have the opportunity to be involved in co-presentations let alone simultaneous co-presentations. Last, but by no means least, the Zwillinge Project Episode 9 was that rare beast - a radical contemporary artwork that both embraced and engaged with children. For the ICA where it is very difficult for children to engage with much of our programme,and for our revised Education /Interaction policy that is much more focussed on younger audiences, a project that is rooted in the needs of children and particularly those with special needs was invaluable.
The Zwillinge Project Episode 9 looked stunning in the ICA Nash Room and was executed with absolute professionalism and care by both artists and their assistants. The project was extremely well attended on both days and even those who were initially reluctant to take part by picking up a phone were soon dialling and chatting away.
Lois Keidan
Director of ICA Live Arts (1995)