Katrina May Rank

THE ARCHIVISTS

2018-19

The Archivists appear at twilight. They travel through towns and cities, across plains and over mountains, to distant shores in many lands. They collect words, phrases and stories: tales of victory and of woe, of journeys undertaken, of false friends and unexpected diversions. They distill and transform these experiences into single gestures repeated over and over until their bodies absorb and understand the depth and meaning of an experience.

The Archivists wear paper and are covered in invisible words. Their heads are illuminated, to a warm, soft glow. Like human statues, they move almost imperceptibly, pausing to recollect a gesture, and the person from whom that gesture came.

This work was performed live on site in 2018 and for BOLD Festival in 2019.

Created by Katrina Rank

Performed by Fine Lines Company and community dancers.

Supported by City of Whittlesea and Ausdance Victoria

Film by Andrew Garton.