Rochelle Haley’s A Sun Dance to Illuminate Tate St Ives for the Autumn Equinox
Tate St Ives will host a captivating weekend event with the UK premiere of A Sun Dance by Australian artist Rochelle Haley, marking the autumn equinox with a blend of performance, film, and thought-provoking discussions.
A Weekend of Dance and Reflection at Tate St Ives
On the weekend of 21-22 September 2024, Tate St Ives invites visitors to experience the UK premiere of A Sun Dance, an immersive performance by Australian artist Rochelle Haley. Originally commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia and premiered there in February 2024, this performance has now been translated to the Tate St Ives gallery spaces with the support of the University of New South Wales School of Art & Design and the British Council Connections Through Culture.
Saturday 21st September: Following the Sun’s Path
The event begins on Saturday, 21 September, coinciding with the autumn equinox. Haley’s A Sun Dance is a day-long performance that engages both the architecture of Tate St Ives and the natural movement of sunlight. An ensemble of international and South West-based dancers, alongside a musician, will move throughout the gallery, creating kaleidoscopic shapes and contemplative moments that will evolve as the sun travels across the sky. The interplay between dancer, sunlight, sound, and the building’s structure lies at the heart of this unique piece, offering visitors an opportunity to witness a dynamic fusion of art and nature.
Sunday 22nd September: Screenings and Conversations
On Sunday, 22 September, the focus shifts to a series of film screenings and in-depth conversations that explore the themes of dance and performance, particularly within the context of the South West of England. The day will kick off with screenings of A Sun Dance—captured during its international premiere in Australia—at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 15:30, and 16:30. Visitors can also view Deep Time Moving (process films), a series of four short films by dancer and filmmaker Eleanor Sikorski in collaboration with artist and choreographer Kyra Norman. These films provide a behind-the-scenes look at the research and development process for Deep Time Moving, a live movement-led interdisciplinary performance that responds to the unique geological landscapes of Cornwall’s Lizard peninsula, where Kyra Norman resides.
The screenings will culminate in a special talk at 14:00, where Rochelle Haley will be joined by Louise Lawson, Head of Conservation at Tate, Saskia Scott, Producer at the National Gallery of Australia, and Melanie Stidolph, Curator of Public Programme at Tate St Ives. This conversation will provide a platform to discuss the process of transmission between artwork, people, and locations, and reflect on the practice of dance and performance in the region. Following the talk, informal discussions will continue in the bar at 15:00, allowing visitors to further engage with the artists and curators.
A Glimpse into the Future of Tate St Ives
This weekend event not only celebrates A Sun Dance but also looks forward to the ambitious new programming that will form part of Tate St Ives’ re-imagining of the Palais de Danse, the former studio of renowned artist Barbara Hepworth. It aligns with the gallery’s ongoing commitment to exploring the intersection of art, dance, and performance, particularly within the unique cultural landscape of St Ives and the South West.
Event Details
- Dates: Saturday 21st September 2024 (10:00 – 17:00) & Sunday 22nd September 2024 (10:00 – 17:00)
- Location: Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach, St Ives TR26 1TG
- Ticket Information: A gallery admission ticket, Tate Membership, or Locals Pass is required to attend the events. While most events are drop-in, the talk on Sunday 22nd September at 14:00 requires advance booking via the Tate St Ives website or by calling 01736 796 226.
- Film Screening Times: A Sun Dance: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 15:30, 16:30. Deep Time Moving (process films): 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 15:30, 16:30.
About the Artists
Rochelle Haley, an artist and Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales School of Art & Design, Sydney, combines painting and choreography to explore the dynamic relationships between colour, gesture, sunlight, and movement. Her performances engage audiences through their interaction with architecture and the ever-moving body.
Kyra Norman, who lives on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, has worked across dance, theatre, film, and contemporary visual arts since 1998. Her practice delves into movement, connection, and place, through live performance, screen media, writing, and participatory events.
Explore More
For more information about the event and the artists, visit the Tate St Ives website. You can also learn more about the artists on their personal websites: Rochelle Haley and Kyra Norman.