Inspired by Willi Dorner in groups we went around the Drill Hall finding small, unnoticed spaces to fill with our bodies. we created unusual and contorted shapes. This was an interesting exercise to do as we noted how the public reacted to what we were doing and how it made them and us feel. We also found ourselves trying to relate our shapes to the history of the drill hall.
Last week we went to the Archives to find out some more information on our chosen areas. Mine was the 9 sergeants that appear on a plaque. However, it was pretty hard to find much information on all the soldiers and we were only able to find out about one soldier, Albert Edward Maplethorpe. We found a touching letter that he wrote to who we presume was his wife.
A section of this letter that sticks in my mind is:
“I thought several times you had seen the last of your little Johnny“. A touching piece of history that we hope to put into our performance.
