Project Djurgårdsbrunn

Project Djurgårdsbrun. An exhibition/choreography by Anna Koch for commisioned by Magasin 3, Stockholms konsthall 2005.

A text that could be listened to in headphones in a box placed under a tree. Around the garden were other objects with instructions to read. No instructions had to be done, one could just think of them and do them in ones mind.

1.Listen
put the headphones on

Hi and welcome to Djurgårdsbrunn. An almost square lot, beside a canal, with a major building, a pavilion, a lawn, a fountain, a gravel path and a tree and there you stand.

How are you today? Where is your weight placed? Far forward, in the center, or back on your heels?
Now if you hold your head straight but look slightly downwards. Keep your eyes relaxed. Shift weight over to one of your hips. Lift the opposite foot somewhat, just 2 centimeters above the ground, twist your leg slowly so that your toes point slightly to the side, bring your foot down, slowly turn your head (only the head) in the same direction, halt on a level with the anterior foot.Now turn the upper part of your body the same way so that your shoulder is on its way into a spin backwards. When you’ve spun enough, bring your other heel down at the same angle as the anterior foot.What do you see now? Smile if you see something living.
 
Now you can try drawing with your gaze out in the air, the outline of a known logotype.Then look for a bird.
It will cost you some time and much organizing for you to be able to stand here. The principle of organizing and creating shape is a basic motion. As an individual one has to become acquainted with one’s own unique attitude. Also what you hear now is an act of organizing for you to be able to follow. Right now and here, in the summer of 2005.

Can you find a motion that you’ve never done before? Try, try again, can anybody see you? Wave if you wish. Now try moving your nostrils, nobody watches.

Your cells make even smaller motions. The cell changes shape entirely through rising and falling, coagulating and running, gathering and resting. Your cells organize themselves into multi-rhythmic organisms through rhythmic pulsations.Can you make a multi-rhythmic beat with your whole body? Try.

Now focus your attention on your shoulder blades.Make some jerks with one and a few with the other.
Now focus on the pelvis area, make some minimal movements there. Give away some in one of your knees and flex. Now pull the tip of your tongue up to the very front of your palate and straight back.
Stand with your head fixed and just move your eyes to the side.

Repeat: Shoulder blade, shoulder blade, pelvis, pelvis, flex your knee, tongue, your eyes to the side.
Come back. Shoulder blade, shoulder blade, pelvis, pelvis, flex your knee, tongue, your eyes to the side.
Come back. Put a finger to the middle of your throat and feel if you can sense your pulse.
Bring down both arms. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. If you bring one of your arms slowly forward, where does it feel like you want to stop?

Now you can continue ‘round the corner and around the garden, if you want to try more stations.Have a good day!

Text:Anna Koch

Foto: Anna Koch Magnus Eriksson