Restless is an arts activism project about community, visibility and voice for survivors of trauma, childhood sexual abuse and gender based violence. Walking is at the heart of the project - during the research and development process in summer 2018, Viv walked the 86 mile Dorset stretch of the SW coast path with her producer Sarah Blowers and other collaborators. The project uses coastal landscapes and imagery as a metaphor for the erosion of abusive power relationships through continuous collective action.
Restless combines walking with choreographic research, text, spoken word, hip hop, circus and participatory actions for survivors and allies on beaches and cliff tops.
"My heart is thumping as I write this. I am not hiding any more. Sunday was a special day, the day I joined the “Restless” walk. The vultures had been circling around my head, ripping and tearing away at my confidence and psychological constitution, but your blog kept me strong. That day I felt understood. Walking in solidarity against abuse and violence. Unable to express myself adequately in words I was taken up with the esoteric symbolism of the walk; the placing of one foot in front of the other to climb the hills, and the tiny steps taken to prevent a tumble getting down the steep slope on the other side, then, MAKING IT . . . . to warm friends and a warm fire on the beach, just as I’ve got through the abuse; but still, the waves, the reminders keep coming, coming, threatening to drag me under. But they do not. I can observe their menacing power and know that I am safe."
Restless combines walking with choreographic research, text, spoken word, hip hop, circus and participatory actions for survivors and allies on beaches and cliff tops.
"My heart is thumping as I write this. I am not hiding any more. Sunday was a special day, the day I joined the “Restless” walk. The vultures had been circling around my head, ripping and tearing away at my confidence and psychological constitution, but your blog kept me strong. That day I felt understood. Walking in solidarity against abuse and violence. Unable to express myself adequately in words I was taken up with the esoteric symbolism of the walk; the placing of one foot in front of the other to climb the hills, and the tiny steps taken to prevent a tumble getting down the steep slope on the other side, then, MAKING IT . . . . to warm friends and a warm fire on the beach, just as I’ve got through the abuse; but still, the waves, the reminders keep coming, coming, threatening to drag me under. But they do not. I can observe their menacing power and know that I am safe."
Restless is supported by Arts Council England SW Project Grants
with additional support from Strike a Light, Activate Performing Arts, Circomedia and Pavilion Dance SW
with additional support from Strike a Light, Activate Performing Arts, Circomedia and Pavilion Dance SW