Compulsory Figure

Video, 5 mins. 30 secs.

5th Floor Elevator Lobby.

"Compulsory Figure is a performance for video that takes place on a series of ponds, flood basins, and marshes that sit along the Niagara escarpment. Dressed in a skating uniform I assume the roll of a figure skater determined to perform upon untouched icy surfaces that exist in the landscape. The title of the work, Compulsory Figure, is defined as the carving of specific patterns or figures onto the ice surface by the skater’s blade. These marks made on the ice were the original purpose of the sport. As a self-taught amateur figure skater my techniques are based on my own rendition of skating routines. 

While adopting this constructed persona, I critique the hyper-femininity of the sport and challenge its traditional context. Throughout the performance remove the performer from the enclosed arena stage into the landscape. The video documents multiple perspectives of the performance as I prepare to execute my routine."

WATERBODY GESTURES

Video, 2019, 5 mins. 38 secs.

4th Floor Elevator Lobby.

Jordyn Stewart’s current work explores our interactions with nature and the synthetic landscapes we encounter. When invited to propose a work for CAFKA@The Walper 2019 she was struck by the carpet’s distinctive design, which mimics water, spills and even topographical forms – a perfect opportunity to introduce natural to the hotel spaces. Using Chroma key compositing the artist layered two video streams together based on colour hues to achieve the appearance of water running beneath the carpeting.

About the artist

Waterloo-based Jordyn Stewart received her B.A. from the Art and Art History Program of Sheridan College and the University of Toronto and is currently a Masters of Fine Art candidate at the University of Waterloo. Recent exhibitions of her work include her solo exhibition Compulsory Figure, Gallery Stratford, Stratford (2018) and group exhibitions at Supercrawl, Hamilton (2017), Hundred Dollar Gallery & Casino Artspace, Hamilton (2017), Grimsby Public Art Gallery, Grimsby (2016), Hamilton Artists Inc., Hamilton (2016), and Cedar Ridge Gallery, Scarborough (2017).

CAFKA @ The Walper 2019 has been made possible with the support of the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund and the Walper Hotel.