Social performance project
Last year I decided that I wanted my practice to become more seasonal—in terms of the types of labour I would undertake at different times of the year, and the ideas and motifs I would to return to time and again, like features in the calendar.
Dusking is my first truly seasonal project, a 100% invented tradition, conceived as the counterpart to the celebrations that take place on May 1, to welcome in the summer. At Dusking, I issue an open invitation to everyone to join me in acknowledging the onset of winter, and the gifts or rest, reflection and replenishment that the darker months can offer us. An archive of the rich and poignant responses is compiled.
Mirie it is (Dusking II)
Film by Jonny Randall | Music by Elspeth Anne featuring Jennifer Reid | Consultancy from Kylie Darling, Adam York Gregory and Gillian Jane Lees
Dusking archive
Dusking archive
In 2024, more than 1000 people responded to the initial Dusking call out on Instagram, with impromptu Dusking gatherings taking place in London, Edinburgh, Norwich and Birmingham. More than 100 people shared contributions on social media, including performances, essays, songs and poetry. The aim of the project is to empower EVERYONE to feel welcome to take part in seasonal folk customs—regardless of gender, race, class, location, disability etc.—and to make traditions their own.
The first iteration of Dusking took place in 2023. Please click here to see documentation.
Anyone can go out Dusking. In fact, you don’t even have to go out to take part, if you don’t want to. You can Dusk in your living room, or back garden, or wherever suits.
—‘What is Dusking?’, Tradfolk