LAURA SARAH DOWDALL
Body of Water
Coastal and Island Residency Project - Ongoing
This ongoing research and performance project launched while Laura was inaugural artist in residence at the Baths Artist Studios in Dún Laoghaire in 2023 where she offered a program of unique workshops in the water, by the sea and movement research in the dance studio. She developed and performed: Dance Dialogues - Moving Conversations, Ode to The Sea -Site specific community performance and SeaScores-
research and performance practice.
This project was awarded a Residency at Áras Eanna on Inis Óirr island supported by Galway Dance Project (December 2023) and Áras Inis Gluaire in Mayo for the Summer of 2024 - where workshops and performances are created in collaboration with the local community exploring their unique landscape, the Irish language- Gaeilge, relationship with the sea and coastal-climate concerns, supported by the Arts Council, Mayo County Council and Ealaín na Gaeltachta.
As a continuation of Laura's Baths Residency work she developed SeaScores Performance Project exploring climate cares and concerns through dance, embodiment, eco-somatic and nature based practise, with an outdoor site specific performance by the Sea in May 2024 with a Community Picnic and Conversation aferwards, supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown county council.
This work aims to bring awareness, community connection, creative opportunity, and artistic expression to all places connected to the Sea and Water. Contact Laura to see how your community can be involved!
BATHS RESIDENCY
Dance Artist in Residence: 2023
As inaugural artist at the Baths Artist Studios in Dún Laoghaire in 2023, Laura focused on exploring our interconnection with the Sea:
Diving into the context and stories of this historic landmark in exchange with local bathing and swimming community.
Exploring our inter-relationship, impact and care of
water, the Sea and coastal landscapes.
Investigating our physiological water make-up, sea rites and rituals,
& our innate desire to dip, swim and get-in the water!
With a program of land and water-based movement workshops, sea scores, talks, dance & dip events, pop-up performances & more!
CALLING ALL WATER-LOVERS!
Join the dance this Summer with sea and studio-based workshops, open studio conversation and pop-up events at the BATHS in Dún Laoghaire!
This is an opportunity to share your stories, explore your own water-dance, connect with community and find joy in movement!
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
WATER DANCE
ON THE SAND + IN THE SEA
Workshops at Otranto Beach, next to Sandycove
Tuesdays 10 -11am
Dates: July 18, 25, Aug 1, 8, 15
Enjoy movement on the beach before exploring water-based practices in the sea.
For swimmers and movers who love the water.
Bring warm layers, hot drink and snacks for after!
In attending you acknowledge that you are fully responsible for your own health and safety and should only participate if you are in good health and a competent swimmer.
Location:
Meet in Otranto Park at the little beach area in front of the changing rooms of the Sub Aqua club, this is the little beach area just before Sandycove beach.
Free, Booking Required, Limited Spaces
**Please commit to attending all sessions where possible so we progress together as a group.
SEA SCORES
DANCE & DIP WORKSHOPS
Workshop series at the Baths
Saturdays 3 - 4:30pm
Dates: July 29, Aug 5, 12
Three consecutive Saturdays
Movement research and contact improv in the studio, exploring our body-of-water, water rites and rituals, stories and acts of conservation. Finishing with a water-dance-dip in the sea at the Baths!
For water-lovers, movers and contact improvisers open to movement exploration, creative play and connection with others.
In attending you acknowledge that you are fully responsible for your own health and safety and should only participate if you are in good health and a competent swimmer.
Location:
Studio 4 at the Baths Artist Studios
*Please commit to attending all 3 workshops or 2 at minimum so we progress together as a group!
Free, Booking Required, Limited Spaces
OPEN STUDIO
MEET THE ARTIST
Drop-in at the Baths
Wednesdays 11am - 12:30pm
Dates: July 19, 26, Aug 2, 9
Stop by studio 4 to learn about Laura’s water-work and share your Sea/Baths stories!
Sea-Lovers of all backgrounds and interests are welcome!
Knock on the studio door anytime between 11am-12:30pm to chat with Laura.
Drop by without booking or arrange a specific time to meet by emailing Laura at laura@runningblind.ie
Location: Studio 4, Baths Artist Studios, Dun Laoghaire
SEA-INSPIRED GATHERING
CREATING COMMUNITY
At the Baths
Inviting all sea-inspired artists, activists, makers and creators of all disciplines and traditions to come for an evening of chats, creative collaborations and sharing.
Tuesdays 5 - 6pm
Dates: July 25 + Aug 15
Contact Laura in advance with a little about your sea-inspired interests, work, art, or passion-projects!
Email laura@runningblind.ie
Location: Studio 4, Baths Artist Studios, Dun Laoghaire
TALK: Dún Laoghaire Baths through the Ages!
Eileen O’Duffy, author of From Dirt and Dips to Dryrobes will talk about the origins of Dún Laoghaire baths and how the original 19th century luxurious Victorian baths became one of the most fashionable lidos in Europe and in later years a popular swimming baths for families.
This talk is part of a series of workshops and community events that dance artist Laura Sarah Dowdall is offering during her Summer Residency at the Baths!
Details:
Doors will open from 6:15pm.
Talk to begin at 6:30pm
Please enter by the seaward side of the baths via the double door entrance of Laura's Studio on the ground floor (end studio on the far left when the sea is behind you).
This is a casual gathering and seating will be a mix of soft cushions, beanbags, mats and chairs for those who need them.
Contact Laura if you have additional requirements: laura@runningblind.ie
After the talk there will be a chance to ask questions and share your anecdotes and memories.
Research in Progress!
You are invited to observe an embodied conversation, where ideas, concepts, questions and even answers are explored and informed from and by the body.
When: Friday August 18th
Time: 6:30pm
At: Studio 4, Baths Artist Studios, Dun Laoghaire
Enjoy an encounter of two bodies curious about our fluid nature, the expression and exchange of our inner-outer worlds and the presence and listening it requires.
Laura and Sophie invite you to observe their spontaneous conversation and in-the-moment research with no plan or expectation other than going with the flow!
*Audience are welcome to participate in this sharing- there will be moment for you to propose, connect, move, ask, invite as the sharing progresses*
Sophie Rieu is fascinated by the human body, its stories and intricate relationships with non-human forms. Since finishing her Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy training she has since immersed herself in this beautiful awe-inspiring practice. It informs much of her life and how she relates to the world.
Details:
Doors from 6:20pm for 6:30pm start.
Enter by the seaward side of the baths via the double door entrance of Laura's Studio on the ground floor (end studio on the far left when the sea is behind you).
This is a casual gathering and seating will be a mix of soft cushions, beanbags, mats and chairs for those who need them.
Contact Laura if you have additional requirements: laura@runningblind.ie
SEA SCORES
the performance project
Studio & Outdoor workshop
Site-Specific Practice & Performance!
Saturday Aug 19th, 10am-12noon
Tuesday Aug 22nd, 6pm -8pm
For water-lovers, movers and contact improvisers open to movement exploration, creative play and connection with others.
Wear blue if participating!
If observing, feel free to watch from the amphitheatre space facing the sea at the Baths. Start time 7:15pm approx.
Register for free through eventbrite, bring raingear for our outdoor practice… more details will be sent to those who register!
In attending you acknowledge that you are fully responsible for your own health and safety and should only participate if you are in good health.
Location:
Studio 4 at the Baths Artist Studios
Free, Booking Required, Limited Spaces
BODY-OF-WATER
Ideas in Progress
Laura will share insights, highlights and extracts from her time in residency.
Friday, August 25th 6:30pm
All to be revealed on the day!
Meet at: Studio 4, Baths Artist Studios
Free, Booking Required, Limited Spaces
DANCE + DIP + PICNIC
Community Celebration!
Come and join the final dance and dip event of Laura's residency!
Thursday, August 31st 6pm
Bring your dancing shoes, snacks/food to share, and a flask of hot tea, as we come together for a dance and dip!
Meet at: Studio 4, Baths Artist Studios
In attending you acknowledge that you are fully responsible for your own health and safety and should only participate if you are in good health and a competent swimmer.
Free, Booking Required, Limited Spaces
Laura Sarah Dowdall
Artist / Performer/ Choreographer
Laura Sarah Dowdall is an innovative dance artist creating engaging performance that is experiential, immersive and permeable to audience interaction, incorporating site-specific performance, spoken word and film.
Laura travels internationally performing, giving workshops, talks, trainings and retreats. She is a socially-engaged artist who is actively engaged in the community. Her inclusive dance project Running Blind empowers people of all abilities to enjoy the creative freedom and enjoyment of dance.
Residency Supported by
