Choreographer and performance artist Christopher Matthews curates my body’s an exhibition at Sadler’s Wells on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 June. In this immersive event, multidisciplinary installations are scattered throughout the building in the foyers, studios, stages and backstage spaces, and explore themes of gender, class structure, intersections of the classical and contemporary, icon vs self and pop culture.
my body’s an exhibition presents over 22 works by international performance makers and artists in the form of video, photography, collage, sound, light, text and live movement installations.
Taking the Janet Jackson lyrics “my body’s an exhibition baby” from the song Feedback (2008) as inspiration, audiences are invited to explore the role of the spectator when observing the body as an object, as well as how bodies are seen, and what it means to be seen. Alongside this, Matthews asks how history and popular culture collide, or coincide.
The event includes the world premiere of Matthews’ own work My Body’s Number 1 as well as his work for gallery spaces, Lads. The event will also include a new work by Matthews, inspired by Sadler’s Wells’ history in pop culture. Additional contributing artists include Phoebe Berglund, Bhenji Ra, Fenia Kotsopoulou, John Philip Sage, Songhay Toldon, Nasheeka Nedsreal and Myrid Carten, all of whom will be making their Sadler’s Wells debut.
Christopher Matthews said: “As a performer, I have had the privilege to perform in theatres like Sadler’s Wells and now I am excited to have the opportunity to be showing my own work here, as well as inviting such wonderful artists I respect.”
Producer, Robyn Cabaret said: “For two nights only, Sadler’s Wells is given over to Christopher Matthews who curates the latest edition of Wild Card. In our reopening season we grant audiences exclusive access to parts of the building not usually seen. This immersive and expansive collection of over 22 multidisciplinary works will give audiences the chance to engage with a different approach to form and the framing of dance.”
