PUBLIC RECORDINGS 8 DAYS IV: CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS | DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1st 2014 A GATHERING OF CHOREOGRAPHERS AT ARTSCAPE GIBRALTAR POINT, TORONTO ISLAND  JUNE 14-23, 2015
8 DAYS is an intensive encounter open to Canadian contemporary choreographers. The gathering values curiosity, questioning and reflection on how we work in order to deepen choreographic practices.

The ongoing 8 DAYS project addresses a need for peer-to-peer choreographic development in Canada, insisting that this mode is crucial to the continued relevance of the art form. Originally instigated in 2012 by Ame Henderson and Tedd Robinson, 8 DAYS IV stems from the desire to continue this artistic exchange. How dance artists work is intimately related to what they create. Theory and practice, talking and making, doing and reflecting, and the systems we do and don’t rely on are understood as interwoven threads of creative development. 8 DAYS is an opportunity to share artistic practices and concerns and to challenge, invigorate and inspire each other. This is an occasion to contextualize oneself within a larger frame. 8 DAYS escapes the pressures of production-driven work. It creates space to reflect on one’s current practice and through rigorous dialogue and experimentation encourages new artistic possibilities.

SIX Canadian choreographers working in Canada or abroad will be invited to join 20 past participants of the three previous 8 DAYS encounters. A cohort of 26 artists will embark on a co-authored adventure influenced by its surroundings, created by those present, and guided by their overlapping and divergent experience. Participants are asked to arrive with an openness about what this encounter can be, a willingness to expose and share, and a criticality around intellectual and artistic exchange. As the number of participants grows every year, we ask that everyone be open to new ways of being together in this ever-evolving constellation. The selection committee is comprised of three past participants and a guest.

Each participant is responsible for planning a portion of the time spent together. Days are primarily structured around preparing, cooking and facilitating group meals, which becomes a fundamental way of thinking about shared work. Subsistence informs how we can function within a group. The days also include sharing research and exploring methods, reading, open discussion, as well as time for leisure and personal reflection.

It is imperative that 8 DAYS engages with the community at large. To this end, each participant will be asked to respond to the concept of documentation in order to share the experience. So far 8 DAYS has self-produced two books financed by the personal contributions of the participants. Each artist proposes and creates responses specific to 8 DAYS during or immediately following the gathering. This co-authored documentation is then distributed via a framework determined by the contributors in order to share the process and its outcomes.

Logistical Details 8 DAYS will be held at Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island. Housed in a former school, Artscape Gibraltar Point, offers 35,000 square feet of multi-use space. Artists will enjoy semi-private accommodations, bright and spacious studios, a shared kitchen and lounge, free wi-fi, and bike rentals. This idyllic beachfront property has the feeling of a remote cottage getaway but is a short fifteen-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto.  The participating artists will arrive on Sunday, June 14th, and depart Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015. Public Recordings has applied for funding to cover travel costs and meals. Funding results should be known by the end of March 2015. Applicants are encouraged to seek further funding to support their participation.

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1st 2014
Please submit a letter of interest and a recent biography in addition to any work samples that are relevant to contextualize your application. As the jury changes each year, previous applicants are encouraged to reapply. Detail your current choreographic concerns in relation to the milieu, address how this encounter might enrich your practice and position yourself in regard to the documentation process. Propose an idea of what you would like to share with the group and what kind of activity you would like to facilitate. Please keep your responses brief and select any support material carefully with the aim of addressing this specific opportunity.

Applications can be submitted in English or French. Please note: the working language will be primarily English. All materials must be submitted electronically. Support materials must be included as an attachment or available online. Make sure to include all necessary links and access information. Please note, applications sent by mail cannot be processed.

For more information and to apply: eightdays (at) publicrecordings (dot) org 

Project History 8 DAYS was held at la B.A.R.N. on Lac Leslie in the Pontiac Region of Quebec, from June 16 – 24, 2012. It was hosted and supported by 10 Gates Dancing Inc. and Public Recordings. Selection committee: Sara Coffin, Ame Henderson, Tedd Robinson, Stephen Thompson  Participants: Justine A. Chambers, Claudia Fancello, Marie Claire Forté, Ame Henderson, Benjamin Kamino, Davida Monk, Tedd Robinson, Stephen Thompson, Michael Trent

8 DAYS II was held at ten fifteen maple and The Dance Centre from August 10-18, 2013. It was hosted by Justine A. Chambers and Public Recordings, and received support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Public Recordings, The Dance Centre and ten fifteen maple. Selection committee: Martin Bélanger, Justine A. Chambers, Benjamin Kamino, Davida Monk Participants: Naomi Brand, Justine A. Chambers, Karine Denault, Claudia Fancello, Marie Claire Forté, Caroline Gravel, Ame Henderson, Christopher House, Davida Monk, Andrew Tay, Stephen Thompson, Michael Trent, Laurie Young

8 DAYS III was held at Artscape Gibraltar Point from June 16-24, 2014. It was hosted by Public Recordings, and received support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Dance Theatre and 10 Gates Dancing Inc. Selection committee: Naomi Brand, Caroline Gravel, Robin Poitras, Laurie Young Participants: Martin Bélanger, Naomi Brand, Justine A. Chambers, Karine Denault, Claudia Fancello, Marie Claire Forté, Caroline Gravel, Ame Henderson, Christopher House, Benjamin Kamino, Jennifer Mascall, Freya Olafson, Bee Pallomina, Tedd Robinson, Andrew Tay, Stephen Thompson, Michael Trent, Peter Trosztmer, Katie Ward, Laurie Young