PlaceHolder

(River to River Festival, 2024)

There are two photos laid on top of each other; both have Kate Speer still, dressed in blue, watching Kayla Hamilton in movement, dressed in orange pants and a white top.
Two images laid on top of each other, with Kate and Kayla both doubled and facing each other in a white studio, they both have one leg extended behind them.
Kayla leans against a back wall while Kate is crouched on the floor; there is also an image with text overlaid.
Faint figures of Kate and Kayla are foregrounded in a studio on top of Kate and Kayla in different movement poses behind them.

About

Kayla Hamilton and Kate Speer share an installation in dialogue with their performance project PlaceHolder–a collaboratively made experience that exposes how perception actualizes and strips identities. The installation will take up the themes of the performance project, which asks guests to consider the ways they meet, engage and “see” others. The installation draws attention to perception and perspective and the frequent disconnect between how we want to be perceived and how outside forces (people, society, strangers) impact perception.

Kate and Kayla are sitting at a table and laughing.
Two people in masks are sitting at a table gazing at a laptop.
Kate and Kayla are standing together and Kate is describing something with her hands.
Five people are seated at a table with a couple of laptops and post-its and a yellow notebook.

Credits 

Performers: Kayla Hamilton, Instigator & Performer; Kate Speer, Instigator & Performer; Azure Osborne-Lee, Audio Describer & Performer; Tess Dworman, Audio Describer & Performer
Designer: Sammie Amachree
Administration: Ellen Chenoweth
Dramaturg: Stephanie Acosta

With thanks to: Nicole J. Caruth, Louise Martorano, Crystal U. Davis, Jesse Phillips Fein, Simone Browne, Molly Roy, and everyone who has participated in showings and shared feedback on the experience.

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