Deaf-mutes and Bob Marley

For the past few weeks I have been working on two projects:

1. Enquete: deaf-mutes.

The enquete (inquiry) is a chance for us to work in groups of 7-9 people and observe an aspect of Paris to create an end of year piece for school.

Cafe signe: chatting with deaf people

Our group is working on the theme of "deaf-mutes". It has given me the chance to pick up French sign language. It is surprisingly simple to have a basic conversation, partly because much of the imagery is mime-based.

As you can see we having been working very hard.

2. Duet For Poland

The other project I have been working on is a duet with a classmate of mine, Rihito, to be performed at the dance festival in Bytom at the end of the month. We have been rehersing in this half-renovated flat of another friend, Eric. It is interesting for me to be choreographing again - something I haven't done for two years.

Since Rihito has quite a different background in dance training (butoh as opposed to contact improv/contemporary), and a different personality, there is a lot of creative friction. I have immense respect for Rihito's creative work, and certainly am learning to be more patient and honest - both with myself, and in communication. We might not agree or the process might be uncomfortable, but at least we can talk or dance it through.

Last Saturday we decided to have a "un jour the folie" (a day of madness), whereby we would meet a Chatalet at 7am and hop on the first bus we saw. We ended up on the edge of the Seine in the suburbs, cafe-breakfast, at the flea markets of Clignacourt, cafe-lunch, and in the parks in the South where we did some vocal work (and inspired a group of boy scouts to yell at the top of their voices). Our day ended at 9:40pm with crepes with chocolate.

I have no idea about what the dance is going to be about but we might use Bob Marley.