Corin Sworn, 'Habits of Assembly' | Edinburgh Art Festival 2019

Corin Sworn speaks about her project 'Habits of Assembly' which forms part of our 2019 Commissions Programme 'Stories for an Uncertain World'.

Sworn is interested in the way in which

the increasing entanglement of technology with the human body is profoundly affecting the way we navigate the world externally, as well as allowing us to explore the previously invisible interior structures of our bodies.

Sited in Edinburgh College of Art’s newly re-opened sculpture court, which the artist likens to a public square, Sworn’s new work is developed through reacting together in improvisation, collaborative story-telling and open scoring. The movement elements are built with Jer Reid, Stephanie McMann and Kai-Wen Chuwang, the text with Colin Herd.

Looking back to experimental intermedia performances (such as 'Set and Reset', 1983, by choreographer Trisha Brown with artist/composer Laurie Anderson), which intermingled bodies, sound and cameras, Habits of Assembly brings together sculptural elements, video and choreography,

to read technologies in parallel with the body and explore their impact and influence on one another.

Supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh and The Canada Council for the Arts.

Videographer: Rachel McBrinn.