Renowned choreographer and dancer, Akram Khan curates the second in The Lowry’s Performer as Curator series, bringing together a personal selection of his influences in the form of sculpture, painting, photography, film, live installation and performance.

In what Michael Simpson, Director of Visual Art and Engagement at The Lowry has called “the most ambitious exhibition projects in The Lowry’s history” this show takes the central themes of contrast and opposites, and explores the traditional and the contemporary, youth and experience, doubt and certainty, truth and fiction through the work of international artists: Antony Gormley; Anish Kapoor; Nadav Kander; Darvish Fakhr; Serena Smith; Kate MccGwire; Miz Nakaishi; Anahita Ghazvinizadeh; Rosemary Lee and Peter Anderson.

Akram explains that he has chosen those who “have inspired me throughout my career, and artists whose work may inspire the next generation” and describes the exhibition as “a sort of surreal, Alice in Wonderland landscape of extremes,” curated alongside Sasha Milavic-Davies of The Lowry. Furthering the participatory nature of the show, on selected days a series of exclusive performances will allow small groups of visitors to be led by dancers on an intimate journey around the works of art.

Not only will Akram be taking over The Lowry’s galleries, he will also be performing DESH, his signature dance piece, upon its main stage on the two days prior to the exhibition opening. This work refers to the Bengali word for ‘homeland’, and draws together multiple tales of land, nation, resistance and convergence into the body, all through the voice of one man trying to find balance in an unstable world. Furthermore, on selected days a series of exclusive performances will allow small groups of visitors to be led by dancers on an intimate journey around the works of art.

One Side to the Other, until 1 February 2015, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ.

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Credits
1. Akram Khan Performer as Curator performance shot. Courtesy of The Lowry.