ABOUT

In 2018, Diane Simpson received a research grant from the Graham Foundation to support her project Architecture in Motion commissioned by FD13 Residency for the Arts in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN. Working over an extended research period of nine months, Diane designed her first costumes to be animated by two performers. Taking inspiration from the former Women’s City Club of St. Paul, designed by architect Magnus Jemne in 1931 in the Art Deco style, Simpson’s costumes reference key details of the elegant building. In collaboration with FD13, the costumes were first used in performance with Minneapolis-based dancers in June 2019. Building on the success of this first iteration, Every house has a door created a new performance in response to the costumes. Following the 30-minute performance, Sara Cluggish, Director of FD13 joined Diane Simpson in conversation about the evolution of the project.