untitled holy hiatus 15 ~ 22.05.2023

Untitled Holy Hiatus is not being advertised publicly elsewhere.

I shall send invites out via Facebook and email. RSVP would be appreciated, also if you know approximately what time you might arrive, please let me know

If you have not received an invite and you have been a regular participant and you use Facebook you can send a message via the Untitled Holy Hiatus page. If you know my email then contact me that way. If you know someone who would like to be there please contact me as above. You can leave a comment here if you don't use Facebook.

A maximum of 9 people in the space at anytime. The original was 6, the number has gone up and down...

UHH 14 2022

last year - 2022

It went gently. It was very comfortable and soft. J wasn't in the space as usual as he had a lot of work to do, T was with me for a lot of the time and no one else came. There were no knotty times of thinking too much about what to "do". 

I listened to the sound and the birds outside for 6 hours and think only once did my mind wander very briefly. T thought my movement was more fluid than he had seen. There was a little "play" with him as he walked around the space on a couple of occasions. 

During one on my own time I found myself moving in a very ballet way - lots of arm and sternum - that rather a Qigong way, it is a feeling that comes when doing some ballet but perhaps more people might understand the Qigong similarity!

Contentment was a feeling that came to me afterwards, and had a really good night's sleep. So a fulfilling, regenerative time. I've often thought I might find it difficult being on my own for a lot of the time and not being disciplined enough or something, but it wasn't the case. Perhaps not having done it since 2019 it was useful to not have other people. 

untitled holy hiatus 14 ~ 22.05.2022

 This year year will be by invitation so not open to the public. 

Last year UHH 13 was recorded - and only Jake was there. I was there for a little while - outside of an open window.

Here are some of the images taken by Jake last year.

If you have not received an invite and you have been a regular participant and you use Facebook you can send a message via the Untitled Holy Hiatus page. If you know my email then contact me that way.

thoughts on the morning of May 22nd 2019

It's interesting to see how the performative nature has changed since the first time: it has unfolded into a ritual, a participatory event. No longer are there 2 performers exploring*, but, perhaps, a community created for those 6 hours. And the song, with nothing new added since 2012*, has embedded into the sound of the space.

Then thinking of the different ways of moving for me - the phrase of movement and the following my body: the phrase is performative, it is like a spoken prayer, a song sung. Although it is set it changes and different parts become emphasised, year by year or hour by hour.

Lou’s* last live vocals were in 2012 as she was unable to be there in 2013 as she had recently given birth. And 2014 was her last UHH: she was unable to sing, but her listening and presence were as strong as ever. She spent the last hour or so downstairs with me. At the end we knew we’d done it – we’ve achieved the thing we sought. By then people were coming to meditate or pray, to just be in the space, not to watch.

In 2015 I invited people who used movement as prayer or contemplation to move in the space. Regardless of whether they respond to me in any way, it supports me and has enabled me to continue. I noticed that many of those who were there in stillness had bare feet and were lying down! In 2015 I found myself moving with two people, and last year there was playful interaction with one of those movers – at a moment that I could have crumpled, a moment where I wondered if I could move at all.

After 2 years of UHH Lou and I agreed on a name for what we were doing: an act of devotion.

when we were two

untitled holy hiatus 12

May 22 Mai 2019
4pm – 10.15pm
Maura Hazelden & Jacob Whittaker

Small World Theatre | Theatr Byd Bychan
Bath House Road | Heol Clôs y Bath,

Cardigan | Aberteifi, SA43 IJY

This six-hour, performative event explores how liminal space is created, experienced and shared, using repetitions of a phrase of movement and a 13th century song developed by Lou Laurens. Untitled 12 will use 11 years of layered recordings giving a unique soundscape. Come to observe, to be present within the space created. Use the space for mediation, prayer, contemplation. People who use movement as contemplation or prayer may wish to move rather than sit.

We are tentatively continuing as we have done: Lou’s experiment with sound and space continues. There are distortions, curious new sounds and feedback, but being in the space and listening fully – to the space and to the self - the strangeness does not shock.

Mae’r digwyddiad perfformiadol chwe awr o hyd hwn yn darganfod sut mae gofod trothwyol yn cael ei greu, ei brofi a’i rannu, trwy ail-adrodd cymal o symudiad a chân o’r 13eg ganrif, a ddyfeisiwyd gan Lou Laurens. Bydd di-deitl 12 yn defnyddio 11 mlynedd o haenau o recordiadau i greu sainlun unigryw. Dewch i wylio, i fod yn bresennol yn y gofod sy’n cael ei greu. Defnyddiwch y gofod ar gyfer meddwl, gweddïo, myfyrio. Efallai bydd pobl sy’n defnyddio symud fel ffordd o fyfyrio neu weddïo yn dymuno symud yn hytrach nag eistedd.

Ry’n ni’n bwrw ‘mlaen yn betrusgar, fel ag erioed: mae arbrawf Lou gyda sain a gofod yn parhau. Mae yna ystumiadau, seiniau newydd rhyfedd ac ôl-dafliad sain, ond wrth fod yn y gofod a gwrando’n astud – ar y gofod a’r hunan – ‘does dim sioc yn y dieithrwch.

Entry by donation | Mynediad trwy rodd

LINK to further notes to explain the event and your participation

small world theatre | theatr byd bychan

Untitled: Holy hiatus 10

monday | dydd llun
May 22 Mai
4pm – 10.15pm

This six hour, performative event explores how liminal space is created, experienced and shared, using repetitions of a phrase of movement and a 13th century song developed by Lou Laurens. Untitled 10 will use 9 years of time layered recordings and add to the evolving soundscape by recording this year’s acoustics. Come to observe, to be present within the space created. Use the space for mediation, prayer, contemplation. People who use movement as contemplation or prayer may wish to move rather than sit.

Digwyddiad perfformiol dros gyfnod o chwe awr, sy’n archwilio sut mae gofod trothwyol yn cael ei greu, ei brofi a’i rannu, gan ddefnyddio cymal o symudiad a chân o’r 13eg ganrif, a ddatblygwyd gyda Lou Laurens. Bydd dideitl 10 yn defnyddio haenau lluosog o recordiadau o gyfnod amser o 9 mlynedd, ac yn ychwanegu at esblygiad y sainlun hwn trwy recordio acwsteg eleni. Dewch i wylio, i fod yn bresennol o fewn y gofod gaiff ei greu, a defnyddio’r gofod ar gyfer meddwl dwys, gweddi a myfyrdod. Efallai y byddai’n well gan bobl sy’n arfer defnyddio symud fel dull o fyfyrio neu weddio i wneud hynny, yn hytrach na eistedd.

entry by donation
mynediad trwy rodd

facebook event

now

Untitled has moved from an experiment within an art context to its own thing, a space for acts of devotion. It could never be a performance, it had to be “real” due to the length of time. Now it is something I offer myself – 6 hours that I would not spend without a public commitment in contemplation/prayer/devotion and open up to people who would like to participate. Jake and I continue Lou’s experiment of sound folded over and over even with no new voice added.

Maura 2016

after 7

We achieved what we set out to achieve. Lou was not sure she would be able to stay for the duration, but she did.
We were alone for the first half hour. This proved beneficial to re-establishing the event as two of us - Lou had been unable to be there in 2013.
From then on in there was always someone in the room with us - right until the end. This has never happened before.
Quiet support was given to me during a difficult hour. If I had left the room I thought I might never return.

Maura

evolving

As with last year there are challenges to be met, there are differences that have to be faced and worked through, for both Maura and Lou.
A quote from last year:


"Their physical ability to perform in the event is likely to be limited and changed. Both artists feel that this in itself raises interesting questions about performance and ritual, questions which were inevitable in mounting such an ambitious project, such as: are we participants in the event or performers? Are the audience participants in this ritual? When we celebrate our daily and annual rituals what remains the same and what changes, and how much are the changes the way we remember? ‘Oh that was the Christmas that we had to…. because of such and such…’"


All are welcome to come and spend time in the space - as ever there will be a limit to how many people can be present at any one time, usually this causes no problem.
You might want to bring a cushion...there are chairs.
More details in previous posts



The artists are dedicating this year’s event to the memory of John Sharkey in gratitude for his friendship, and his particular contribution to untitled: holy hiatus.


Eleni mae’r artistiaid yn cyflwyno’r digwyddiad er cof am John Sharkey i ddiolch am ei gyfeillgarwch, ac yn arbennig am ei gyfraniad i untitled: holy hiatus.

Untitled Holy Hiatus 7

Thursday May 22nd 4.00 – 10.15 p.m. Small World Theatre, Cardigan
Dydd Iau Mai 22ain 4.00 – 10.15 y.p. Canolfan Byd Bychan, Aberteifi


This annual, six hour, performative event explores how liminal space is created, experienced and shared, using repetitions of a phrase of movement and a 13th century song.
Each event includes live vocal performance and playback of the previous year's recording; this process amplifies the acoustic response of the space, which slowly overwhelms the earlier recordings to form an extraordinary evolving soundscape.
You may attend at any time from 16.00 – 22.15.
The kitchen will be open for refreshments, and there will also be an exhibition of work from previous events.
Entrance fee: donation.


Mae’r digwyddiad perfformiadol hwn yn dangos sut y gellir creu, profi a rhannu gofod trothwyol, trwy ddefnyddio cyfres o symudiadau a chân o’r 13 ganrif dros gyfnod o 6 awr. Mae pob un digwyddiad yn cynnwys perfformiad lleisiol byw a chwarae recordiad y flwyddyn flaenorol; mae’r broses yn chwyddo ymateb acwstig y gofod ac o dipyn i beth bydd yn goresgyn y recordiad blaenorol i ffurfio llun rhyfeddol mewn sain.
Gellir dod yma unrhyw bryd rhwng 16.00 – 22.15.
Bydd lluniaeth ar gael yn ogystal ag arddangosfa o waith y blynyddoedd cynt.
Tâl mynydiad: rhodd


The artists are dedicating this year’s event to the memory of John Sharkey in gratitude for his friendship, and his particular contribution to untitled: holy hiatus.

Eleni mae’r artistiaid yn cyflwyno’r digwyddiad er cof am John Sharkey i ddiolch am ei gyfeillgarwch, ac yn arbennig am ei gyfraniad i untitled: holy hiatus.



LINK to a short video about this work made by Jacob Whittaker

LINK to the Venue: Canolfan Byd Bychan, Aberteifi | Cardigan and many thanks to them for their support

 

there is a 15 minute break 6.50pm - 7.05pm

 

see previous blog posts for more information

Untitled Holy Hiatus 6

Come to observe, to be within the space created, or to use the space for quiet meditation, for a contemplative or devotional act. You may stay for any length of time. There are limits to how many people might be in the space at any one time - you will find light refreshments in the kitchen.

There are some chairs, but you might wish to bring a cushion and/or blanket.

Dydd Mercher Mai 22

4 – 10.15 y.p
Canolfan Byd Bychan

Aberteifi

Wednesday May 22
4 – 10.15 p.m
Small World Centre
Cardigan

 

LINK to Canolfan Byd Bychan map, address etc

 

there is a 15 minute break 6.50pm - 7.05pm

 

see previous blog posts for more information

untitled: holy hiatus 5

Tuesday May 22 | Dydd Mawrth Mai 22

4 – 10.15 p.m | y.p
Small World Theatre | Canolfan Byd Bychan
Cardigan | Aberteifi


‘there is no path; we make the path by walking’
‘does dim llwybr; ni sy’n ei greu wrth gerdded’
Antonio Machado


This performative event explores how liminal space is created, experienced and shared, using repetitions of a phrase of movement and a 13^th century song over 6 hours.

Each event includes live vocal performance and playback of the previous year’s recording; this process amplifies the acoustic response of the space which slowly overwhelms the earlier recordings to form an extraordinary evolving soundscape.

Maura Hazelden was commissioned by Ruth Jones in 2008 to create a work for Holy Hiatus: a series of artworks and a symposium. In collaboration with Lou Laurens she created a six hour event using repetition and stillness in the Small World Centre, then newly completed.  untitled: holy hiatus is an annual ritual. This will the fifth year of the event.

You may attend at any time from 4 – 10.15 pm. The kitchen will be open for refreshments, and there will also be an exhibition of work from previous years.

Mae’r digwyddiad perfformiadol hwm yn dangos sut y gellir creu, profi a rhannu gofod trothwyol, trwy ddefnyddio cyfres o symudiadau a chân o’r  13 ganrif dros gyfnod o 6 awr.

Mae pob un digwyddiad yn cynnwys perfformiad lleisiol byw  a chwarae recordiad y flwyddyn flaenorol; mae’r broses yn chwyddo ymateb acwstig y gofod ac o dipyn i beth bydd yn goresgyn  y recordiad blaenorol i ffurfio llun rhyfeddol mewn sain.

Yn 2008 comisiynwyd Maura Hazelden gan Ruth Jones i greu darn o waith ar gyfer Holy Hiatus: cyfres o weithiau celf a symposiwm.  Trwy weithio ar y cyd gyda Lou Laurens creodd ddigwyddiad chwech awr gan ddefnyddio ail ddweud a llonyddwch Theatr Byd Bychan, a oedd bryd hynny’n newydd sbon.  Mae  untitled: holy hiatusyn ddigwyddiad blynyddol.  Hon fydd y pumed blwyddyn.

Gellir dod yma unrhyw bryd rhwng  4 – 10.15yp. Bydd lluniaeth ar gael yn ogystal ag arddangosfa o waith y blynyddoedd cynt.