June 24, 2021
Our next Hidden Door Live show went live on Thursday 24 June 2021 as elements of theatre, dance, music and visual art combined to celebrate the archaeology of rave.
What does the site of a rave look like to future archaeologists? What would they understand from the snippets of decipherable footage and discarded artefacts? Taking the notion that archaeology eavesdrops on the past, would the iconic smiley face of acid house appear godlike? Witnessed out of context, rave could be compared to religion, its dance appearing tribal as with the frenzied dance often witnessed in rituals.
With the events of the last year we all need to feel a little more connected. In the late 80s Rave brought people together, it broke down prejudices and promoted a sense of collectiveness. Raves are collaborative and this project draws together elements of theatre, dance, music and visual art to celebrate the archaeology of rave.
The Rave Cave is curated by visual artist Jill Martin Boualaxai in collaboration with Midi Paul, Fiona Oliver-Larkin and Tony Mills.
Working in printmaking, drawing and sculpture Jill Martin Boualaxai creates immersive site-specific installations which are often interwoven with sound and light. Her practice is characterised by an attraction to experimentation, and a curiosity and adaptability across extremes of scale, often through modular construction, responding to the site in which it is installed. Mapping the city and archaeological storytelling are central ideas to Jill’s work. Old maps, abandoned spaces, their histories, and the archaeology of found objects are consistent threads that weave through her past and present projects.
Tony is the artistic director of Room 2 Manoeuvre, a dance company that mixes hip hop, contemporary dance and physical theatre. Since swapping his veterinary whites for dancing tights, Tony has gone on to perform for numerous companies at home and abroad and has toured his own work from Shetland to Shanghai.
Fiona is an Edinburgh based physical theatre maker, puppeteer, circus performer and teacher. She wants to see a more fair, equal, joyful and honest world.That desire contributes to every piece of work that she makes. The stories that we tell are integral to how we view the world and Fiona’s work is actively engaged in the search for new stories. One half of feminist theatre duo SALTYDOLLS, she obtained a diploma in physical theatre practice in 2016. Her training in anthropology and sociology has had a lasting influence on her work.
Midi Paul is the alter ego of bassist/producer Phil McBride. Expect stuttering drums, spliced up disco samples, wobbly arpeggios and some computer funk. On stage, the music evolves like a DJ set but in place of the turntables you will get live bass, dirty analogue synths and old school breakbeats.
