a long-form performance wandering among the poetic and practical associations of “the possible” in a world of fluctuating personal, material, political and artistic contingencies.
Willamette Week review of mile 1 by Suzette Smith.
Oregon Arts Watch review of mile 2 by Amy Leona Havin
Oregon Arts Watch review of mile 3 by Amy Leona Havin
In this work, both solo and collaborative, Linda Austin animates and wanders along a series of spatial paths totaling 3 miles. These paths, envisioned as giant drawings, spells, and/or runes, are threaded through with a variety of movement scores, choreographies, tasks, interactions with objects, guest artists, texts, songs, and sound compositions. Although much of the investigation is movement based, visual, sonic, textual and discursive interventions touch upon utopian longings, possible world theory, hope giving way to grief and back again, and the pleasures of getting lost.
MILE 1: Austin presented the first mile of this work in her home studio in a series of 10 performances in the fall of 2021.
MILE 2: Austin premiered mile 2 in October 2022.
MILES 1 + 2: A single performance of Mile 1 + 2, lasting close to 3 hours, was shared with friends in December 2022.
MILES 1 + 2 + 3: All three miles were performed in September 2023, both singly and in a longform performance comprising 3 miles of movement trajectory and lasting about 4.5 hours.
Linda also produced an accompanying artist book designed by Noelle Stiles, with an introduction by Kate Bredeson, featuring a constellation of drawings, photographs, and texts created as part of the project.
Thank you to the Regional Arts & Culture Council, the Oregon Arts Commission Career Opportunity Grant, Djerassi Resident Artist Program, the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation Residency, and many individual friends and supporters!
Performance Works NW || Linda Austin Dance 