© Rosie Powell
Free admission

Abigail Conway
The Candle Project – Kerzenzeremonie

  • Installation
  • Music

Candles and candlelight have been written about in literature for hundreds of years. Plays were originally performed by candlelight. We use candles as a symbol of devotion or distraction, birthdays, anniversaries of death and as decoration. Behind every burning candle is a story; of grief or sadness, sickness or health, failure and success, faith, hope and charity.

In a solemn ceremony, accompanied by choirs from Dresden, beeswax candles are lit, which artist Abigail Conway makes with the audience during the festival. Each candle contains an individual message – as they burn down, the infused messages become visible again and can be shared and taken away.

without language

Duration: 60 min.

Biography

Abigail Conway is a live art artist. She combines craft and performative action to create playful, site-specific installations and immersive encounters for audiences. Her work creates temporary, dynamic and socially engaged communities that open up a space for quiet contemplation and reflection. Her work blends the worlds of theatre and visual art, and disrupts the division of roles between audience and performer.

Abigail is a part-time Lecturer in Theatre at the University of Chichester. As an artist and academic, Abigail’s research focuses on classroom-led performance and the politics of participatory arts. Her artistic practice focuses on a methodology called The Hobby Project.

www.abigailconway.com

Cast & Credits

Artist: Abigail Conway
Set Design & Build: Tin Shed Scenery
Installation Technician: Alastair Armstrong
Lighting Design  & Production Management: Martin Langthorne
Sound Design: Ross Flight
Producer: Sally Rose

Originally Commissioned by The Spire and developed with the support of the Arts Council England, The Spire and ACCA.

Soundtrack with contributions by: Dresden University Choir, Ex Silentio Chamber Choir, Chorbühne TRITONUS, Secret Coronachor Tharandt