Ruth Barker Performing Words: Workshops for the Body and the Voice

This is a 10 week programme of practical experimentation, discussion, and analysis, exploring ‘the voice’ in fine art performance practice. Led by performance artist Ruth Barker, the sessions build participants’ skills in written composition, performance, and performance analysis. The workshops are aimed at anyone seeking core skills in public speaking, creative research, and public improvisation. Or simply wishing to try something new!

Participants will practice control of their own voice, using an approach that foregrounds practices of breathing and awareness. From this foundation, we will explore how to use the voice as a tool to address our own artistic concerns. Throughout the programme, a dedicated ‘Performing Words’ Wordpress site will accumulate course materials, links, references, images, and commentary. Participants will be encouraged to post documentation and materials as the workshops progress, and to use the site as a publicly accessible collective sketchbook and research tool.

Through group experimentation, individual composition, and collective discussion, participants will question how and why the human voice may be used as an instrument of art-making. Whether spoken, muttered, chanted, sung, or digitised - how can artists vocalise their concerns through the language of performance? And why does it matter?

Weekly exercises, assignments, and challenges will hone participants’ abilities as creative researchers, confident public speakers, and interrogative critical thinkers. Running on Sundays from February – April 2016, ‘Performing Words’ will be creative, thought-provoking, fun, and active.

Please note that due to the structure of these workshops, participants must book in advance for the whole programme.

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/147603646" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/147603646">Ruth Barker - Circle Work</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/ccaglasgow">CCA: Glasgow</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>