OBSERVER: Slop
Following the international success of their acclaimed duet Slip, Rebecca Jensen and Aviva Endean continue their collaborative exploration with Slop, a visceral sequel that plunges into a submerged, murky world of sound and movement, premiering at the Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre from May 13-23.
If Slip was about falling out of sync with reality, Slop is said to revel in the overspill.
Part of Darebin Arts Speakeasy, Slop explores a world saturated by digital excess, consumption, and environmental pre-carity, conjuring an unstable, gurgling terrain of bodies and sound.
A digesting of our present moment and a confrontation with the invisible systems that ensnare us, the work asks the questions: Who do we trust? How do we make sense of non-sense?
Conceived in 2024 before Slop became the word of the year, the work considers the cultural atmosphere of “AI slop”, acknowledging the recent flood of confusing signals that shape contemporary perception. Within this messy, boggy terrain, the artists explore entanglement, attention, deep listening, and deep watching.
This new performance work draws audiences into a nexus where bodies and sonic textures entangle, creating a dynamic environment that is both unsettling and curiously moving – finding meaning in senselessness and beauty in what could be perceived as disgusting or stupid.
Jensen and Endean have developed a reputation for bold interdisciplinary work that pushes the boundaries between performance, music and live art.
On stage, tactile materials such as mud and water generate unpredictable environments for sound and movement. As the performance unfolds, these materials are manipulated live, transforming foley techniques into an immersive, evolving composition.
Rebecca Jensen is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher born in Aotearoa and based in Melbourne. Her work ranges in scale and medium, including performance for theatres, galleries, and unconventional spaces, alongside participatory projects, community events, and films.
Aviva Endean is a clarinettist, composer, and performance-maker dedicated to connecting people with each other and their environment through attentive listening. Her creative practice opens up possibilities for collaborations, transcending the traditional in favour of a dynamic artistry which embraces the unfamiliar.
Event Dates: May 13-23
Venue: Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre, 189 High St, Northcote
Bookings: arts.darebin.vic.gov.au
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Slop: Image by Nano Banana Pro in collaboration with Rebecca Jensen.
Photo: Sarah Walker.