Dickson & Chalmers will use the residency to carry out a series of sonic and textual experiments on themes of transformation, negation and gender, particularly in relation to the way in which fragile, delicate disturbances to both text and sound can become a form of subtle violence. Their research will focus on developing a piece called How to Make Two Outfits Out of One, inspired by the life and work of Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Part of this development will involve the creation of notated fugue-like structures (text, sound, movement) that enable the coexistence of multiple themes and identities.

Dickson & Chalmers comprises composer & sound artist, Jane Dickson, and librettist & performance artist, Nic Chalmers. They are interested in process, transformation, negation and gender: the points at which their practices converge. Their current project How to Make Two Outfits Out of One is supported by the PRS Women Make Music Fund and was initially developed in a residency at Battersea Arts Centre, London.