BARE is an action based performance and exhibition that layers aspects of the life and death of writer Virginia Woolf over environments that we are exploring. In research for this performance piece and corresponding exhibition we traveled to Horton in Ribblesdale in order to explore and respond  to its surrounding landscape.

 

Horton-in-Ribblesdale is a small village in the Yorkshire Dales. It's landscape is dominated by steep fells, and bubbling streams that feed the river Ribble. Water and stone shape this environment. During our exploration we explored high streams on the banks of Pen-Y-Ghent, using our chosen narratives of Virginia Woolf as an influence for our exploration within the waters. High quarries that cut into the sides of the fells surrounded us, dwarfing their own landscape.

 

Woolf's life and death have inspired BARE through our endeavor to bare all to the environment we explore. On 28th March 1941 Virginia Woolf filled her over coat with stones and entered the River Ouse, Sussex. She bared all to nature and it took her life. The landscape we are exploring feeds through and contaminates our personal responses to the icon of Woolf. She bared all to the waters, we want to bare all to our environments. 

 

As a group we explore place in relation to the concept of three using walking, waiting and wading to filter our response to Virginia Woolf. We aim to investigate humanity within the landscape, creating a presence in the outside world. BARE contaminates the external and becomes an extension of the performers as a gift to those sharing the environments with us; whether that be invited or accidental. 

 

The performance element of BARE invites the audience to join us on Fulford Ings to explore this idea of walking, waiting and wading as we explore it within performance. We endeavor to layer chosen elements of Woolf's life, works and death over this small patch of wilderness in the city of York.