'Spirals' is a triple bill of the solos Evolutio, These Hands, and Ritual Echoes. The three solos have been performed together, but have also been created to allow for separate performances.
Image © Sara Teresa
Evolutio
'Evolutio' is a 15 minute solo exploring the theme of Evolution. The solo has been shaped through a range of research methods and Crystal has received advice on human evolution, anthropology and Monkey behaviour from various academics and anthropologists.
Image © Joshua Hawkins
These Hands
‘These Hands’ is 15 minute solo inspired by observations of those working on the land and working with machines on a dairy farm in mid-Devon.
You will hear the voice of June Palfrey throughout the performance. June is 78 and has farmed on Morebath dairy farm for 55 years. You will also hear the voice of Dennis Palfrey who was born, raised and has lived on Morebath for 70 years.
‘These Hands’ is a celebration of the everyday, set to recordings of those who work the land, considering their history, as well as the craft and work that goes into the creation of movement.
Image © Tilly May
Ritual Echoes
In October 2019 I received funding from Arts Council for a R&D period to work on my creation 'Rituals' .In this solo, My wish is for people to see a dance of generations, to witness years of history in flashes and also in hope to feel relaxed and peaceful whilst witnessing the movements, in a sense to create that idea of feeling connected to something deeper and more peaceful. Ritual Echoes aim is to be a celebration of the human spirit and the many ways we do things for the same ultimate need, Connection.
"The opening night was as mixed as any. Much the best piece was Crystal Zillwood’s solo Evolutio, a brief, gentle yet far-reaching exploration of the gradations and overlaps between human and animal life. Zillwood morphs from upright biped to stooped ape to loping quadruped, then reverses the sequence. Then she blurs that simple choreographic line with fragmentary phrases in which we catch images of curled foetuses, beetling creatures, froggy squats and tiptoeing dancers, tools, tails, guns. An idle scratch on the snout transmutes into self-conscious making-up at a mirror; a hammering fist becomes a conductor’s tempered arm. An undemonstrative but highly articulate performer, Zillwood manages to suggest an expansive vision within a miniature work."
Written By Sanjoy Roy (The Guardian)
Image © Tilly May
“One of my favourite dance works of last year, 'These Hands' by Crystal Zillwood Performed to a glorious vintage recording and recent interview, both featuring her nan who discusses her life on a working farm in Devon. It reminded me of the seemingly accidental but razor sharp virtuosity of Trisha Browns 'Watermotor' with with the distilled craft of a Burrows & Fargion work. Massive fan - book it already!”
Theo Clinkard, 2017
Image © Tilly May