Saturday the 13th... not unlucky like Friday the 13th but perhaps a little more weird and wacky. Collision 08 drew more visitors on their closing night then ever - cavernous warehouse space, mysterious little corners and rooms set the scene for an interactive music and art festival showcasing the work of artists, musicians, performers and filmakers. I went with Alex, Anna and Maya, Ranjan's daughter, a lovely girl too wise for her years.
It was a fantastically laid back, entertaining night. Guests were free to wander around the amazing space to find the little pieces of art, almost a treasure hunt. Every now and then a bugle-type of instrument sounded as an announcement and group of ushers in fancy-dress would draw attention to a particular event taking place, leading a pied-piper parade into different parts of the space. Small huts and tiki torches decorated the outside space, set in a former timber yard in Peckham. One hut held a lovely old chestnut brown upright piano, inviting people to play and become part of the exhibition. I was tempted, but it was very popular with everyone and the poor thing was subjected to bad renditions of The Entertainer and a brief clip from Rach's prelude in C sharp minor. Next door, a beautiful web of metal provided the frame for dangling empty oxygen canisters, becoming a musical instrument as bystanders made use of the wooden sticks provided. I gave it a lash - so theraputic!! Nothing better than taking swipes at inanimate metal objects.
The highlight of the night was heralded by some provocative and enthralling movements from a stunning red devil on stilts holding a flaming torch. She sinuously twisted and turned in the air, moving with grace, poise and flexibility. Her stilts were extensions of her legs which ended very appropriately in hoofed feet for a devil. I wanted to be her. After a few unsuccessful attempts to part the crowd with hand gestures she suddenly cried out 'Move! Get out of the WAY!'. We didn't know what was going on until hooded men ran straight for us pulling a double decker bus, spray-painted black as midnight. It stopped right in the middle of the crowd where helpful hands lit tiki torches. An acrobatic dancer performed on the top and sides of the bus, using fireballs on chains at one point to enthrall us. The she-devil walked around the bus holding up a flaming torch to help light the dancer. We were then invited in small groups to climb the stairs and enter the dark, claustrophic top deck of the bus. Everything was pitch black and very creepy with people pushing and rubbing against me while strange hooded characters added to the oppressive atmosphere. I almost did a runner.
Right at the back of the bus was a performance installation that made me wish I was back outside sipping on my acidic wine. A headless body was sat on a chair, with bloody hands twisting and tightening on what looked like intenstines. Creepy stuff.... very impressive but not quite my cup of tea. Anna saw it, and then just shouted out 'Mary, I'm going'. I legged it down the stairs after her.
The rest of the night continued on and got better and better - eclectic bands and music, poetry, dancing, drinking, even a little smoking... fantastic experience.
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