Crash Test Dummies

(working title) Research and Development

2023-25

This R&D in Spring 2023 focused on the female data gap, using as it’s frame Caroline Criado Perez’s book ‘Invisible Women – Exposing Data Bias in a world designed for men’.

The emerging work asked an audience to see, witness and recognise three women fitting in, adapting, accommodating and negotiating a world designed for men. The movement was accompanied by data and facts that reveal the systemic ways that the world we live in is built for and by men. The performers travelled through hard, dangerous, uncomfortable territory with rage, compassion, apathy and humour.

With an audience in close proximity, on three sides and the performers crossing the boundary between audience and playing space the work placed the viewer within the system. It concluded with the performers inviting the audience into the playing space…..asking if they are comfortable…if they are fitting in…..asking for change.

An excerpt from the work filmed by Pete Telfer & Culture Colony.

Deborah intends to return to the female focus of this research in a future re-iteration.

“Focusing on a much more specific point of reference for this research block enabled me to delve deeper into my choreographic crafting, leading to striking and powerful moments and images.”

— Deborah Light,

“The highlight for me was the work involving the chairs. I enjoyed the way in which the heavy, inflexible burden of shifting and moving these chairs was set against the off-centre, destabilised and contrapuntal movement of the performers. If one wanted to see the connection to how women have to negotiate patriarchy while juggling other responsibilities, it was open to us to do so.”

— Audience Member,

“Thank you for a great week working with you, its been enriching and I know the things we've explored together will have a personal impact on my future work as an artist.”

— Performer,