performance-maker
Rajni Shah has been creating and directing original performance work since 1999. Her work ranges from large-scale performance installations made through an in-depth collaborative process to small solo interventions in public spaces. She has performed in the UK, Europe and USA, including the National Review of Live Art, Alternate ROOTS, Tanzquartier Wien, Arnolfini Bristol, Nuffield Lancaster, Chisenhale Dance Space and the Chelsea Theatre.
Rajni places collaboration at the heart of her process, and since 2003 has been developing a performance practice that places equal value on each artform throughout the process of conceptualising, making and performing. She works on an ongoing basis with core collaborator Lucille Acevedo-Jones (costume designer) and on a project basis with other collaborators including Lucy Cash (film and video artist), Manuel Vason (photographer) and Cis O’Boyle (lighting designer).
 Rajni Shah as Elizabeth I, Mr Quiver - image by Theron Schmidtclick image to enlarge |
 Rajni performs in Mr Quiver - image by Theron Schmidtclick image to enlarge |
 Rajni Shah in Dinner With America, Hastings - image by Manuel Vasonclick image to enlarge |
performances
- (2008)
Dinner with America is the second in a trilogy of performances addressing the complexities of cultural identity in the 21st century. It is touring during 2008-2009.
- (2008)
give what you can, take what you need is a playful exploration of notions of community and conversation through gift exchange. It is touring in 2008-2009 alongside Dinner with America.
- (2008)
A public intervention as part of the 'mis-guides' by Wrights and Sites at the Belluard Bollwerk International festival in Fribourg, Switzerland.
- (2005)
The first in a trilogy of performance installations questioning cultural identity, Mr Quiver provides an unusual take on questions of representation, ethnicity and what it might mean to be British
- (2002)
Erupting unexpectedly into beautiful, entangled dance, or into exquisite, tense stillness, The Awkward Position took a fresh look at that age-old question, what are we doing here?
- (2001)
The Most Unlikely People Confess to their Dream was a series of intimate solos incorporating performance art, installation, writing, dance and original music, in which each performer’s dream was mapped onto the body of another.
- (2001)
Upon a Blighted Star was a short duet conceived as a direct response to the events of September 11th and reactions to these events within the United States of America
- (2000)
A Winter show, As If Traveling Through Snow was an hour-long duet exploring separateness and the longing for union.
- (1999)
Rajni’s first full-length show, hold each as we fall was performed by Gemma Brockis, Meredith Evans, Triona Kennedy and Rajni Shah.
other collaborations and research projects
- (2008)
The Future is on the Table #3 is the culmination of an open dialogue which started when artists Gwylene Gallimard and Jean-Marie Mauclet (South Carolina, US) sent as presents 58 homemade three legged stools. In September 2008, all the projects will come together in Charleston, South Carolina for a month of exhibitions and events.
- (2008)
A continuation of the research series small gifts in which Rajni has been exploring the potential role of gifting in opening up new conversations and perspectives in society.
- (2007)
Rajni worked with Guillermo Gómez-Peña's company La Pocha Nostra and a group of UK collaborators to create a new catwalk performance at the Arnolfini in Bristol in November 2007
- (2007)
Rajni Shah and Lucille Acevedo-Jones have collaborated with renowned photographer Manuel Vason on a number of occasions, creating performance events specifically for camera.
- (2006)
A series of performance interventions using gift as an opening to conversation, includes essays
- (2002)
Miss America was conceived in collaboration with artist Ruth Laxson and poet Jerry Cullum, and was performed at the Marcia Wood Gallery in Atlanta, GA during one of Ruth's exhibitions.
- (2002)
Rajni choreographed and performed in this short film by Theron U. Schmidt which was originally screened as part of the live performance The Crossing at 7Stages Theatre in Atlanta GA, USA.
- (2001)
Spinning 101 was a collaboration between Rajni Shah and visual artist Martha Whittington commissioned for the 2001 Seen + Heard festival in Atlanta GA.
Point and Place is a group of artists from across various disciples who come together regularly to talk, eat and make new works. In 2007 they produced their first piece of work together, a limited edition collaborative bookwork, which won the Birgit Skiold Award for Excellence in Book Arts at the London Artist Book Fair 2007.
Rajni offers workshops in developing performative presence for adults, which can be booked alongside a performance or separately. Each session provides dedicated time for artists wishing to explore their own performative presence.
A part of private research and development, Rajni has established a solo practice called ‘clowning days’. Like writing with the wrong hand, or standing on one’s head, these days help Rajni to uncover new areas of her performative practice and create a deeper, lighter or darker understanding of herself.