Search Party vs Myatts Field
Search Party vs Myatts Field
We will be performing Search Party vs Myatts Field on Midsummer’s Eve, Saturday 20th June, 2009, 2pm – 6pm in Myatt’s Fields Park, Knatchbull Road, Camberwell, London SE5.
Hope you can make it for a game or two.
Jodie & Pete x
Details below:
Search Party are throwing down the gauntlet. They challenge you, the people of Camberwell, to a marathon game of Ping Pong. Search Party vs Myatts Field borrows the notion of team from sport to examine connections between the personal and the geographic, exploring ideas of community, place, belonging, team identification and competition.
Search Party vs Myatts Field is an interactive two-handed durational performance in which Search Party challenge the host city/town to a marathon game of table tennis. The performance is situated in a public space (e.g. foyer/bar/theatre/gallery/town hall etc); spectators and passers-by are invited to form a team and play against Search Party; to represent their city and to support each other through thick and thin. The performance is accompanied by a live commentary text which is re-defined by each location, drawing on the identity of the host city whilst also borrowing from real sporting events and referencing iconic sporting heroes. The live commentary reacts to the unique circumstances of each game creating a real and imagined context for spectators and participants. Modes of behaviour are suggested, the crowd are invited to become fans, to sing, to chant, to wear their heart on their sleeve and to take their tops off and swing them round their heads. The results are recorded; participants are invited to return throughout the day for re-matches or to stay and support their fellow team mates.
Search Party vs Myatts Field aims to attract a diverse audience that is representative of the host city creating a temporary community unique to the geographic location of the performance. The event is part of Search Party’s ongoing research into sport and performance, exploring themes of community, place, belonging, team identification and competition. As the tournament develops and fatigue sets in, new unexpected narratives emerge, rousing team talks and comfort breaks are needed and the allegiance of each supporter is tested.
Search Party have already played matches against Bristol, Plymouth, Clapham, Leeds, and Kupio, Finland.
How to get there:
The Big Event, 20th June, 2pm-7pm: Myatt's Fields Park, Knatchbull Road, Camberwell SE5. By tube to Oval or bus to Camberwell Green. Please use public transport or walk as there is very limited parking. www.homeliveart.com
Search Party
Search Party is the collaboration of artists Pete Phillips and Jodie Hawkes. Search Party vs Myatts Field will be performed by Pete Phillips and associate artist James Stenhouse. Since 2005 Search Party have been making live art that re-negotiates the relationship between artist and audience. We make site specific, studio based and durational performances that attempt to create temporary communities, inviting spectators to become co-collaborators in the live event. Our current work questions the relationship between sport and performance, borrowing the notion of team to examine connections between individual, group and place.
