Perform Nash
On 19th October 2025 the public were invited to Ruthin Craft Centre for an experimental day where art met music and dance.
Acclaimed musicians Aneirin Jones and Patrick Rimes and dancer choreographer Angharad Harrop were invited to respond to the David Nash: Nature Wisdom exhibition. Over the day they created and collected musical and movement phrases. The company then performed the Nash-inspired improvisations in a sharing at 4pm.
The whole event was filmed by Meinir Siecyn of Snapyn TV
Jones and Rimes are known for their work with Vrï
Angharad Harrop was working with Dance Collective Wales but has since been appointed as Dance Officer for the Arts Council of Wales. Cywaith Dawns / Dance Collective | Wales
The public were invited to listen to, draw and photograph the event.
We had over 50 people at the sharing and more throughout the day.
Feedback included:
‘Mesmerising – a hymn to the spirit of the wood!’ ‘I loved the music, the dance and the exhibition. I’ve seen the exhibition twice before, but this was something else!’ ‘Amazing – wonderful mix of Welsh, English languages, mixed media arts and performance arts. Promenade shows are a wonderful interaction of artists and their audience.’ ‘Excellent from end to end. I was here all day and found watching the rehearsals/composition very interesting. Also, quite courageous in that it could have all gone wrong. Fascinating to see the interpretation of David Nash’s work – interpretation of other work would also be interesting.’ ‘Absolutely amazing – loved it!’ ‘ Magical. The live fiddle music felt like it came from and brought to life the sculpture.’ ‘ All the senses - what a great way to reach out to people in this current cruel world.’
Maria Hayes on putting Perform Nash together:
The musicians and dancers knew each other, and I had seen them work together on projects related to traditional Welsh music and dance. I brought them together to respond to the Nash show in the most innovative and raw way they could. I provided some background to the works but mostly I asked them to respond in the moment as much as possible. My guiding words to them were to feel the works, to listen to them and to respond from their impressions. Words they took to heart.
The week before the event Angharad, Patrick, Meinir and I met at Cae’n Y Coed, Nash’s land where the growing works are. We did some filming there, which Meinir edited into the film of the day’s improvisations at the gallery.
It takes courage to improvise in the moment and in public, but these artists have it in abundance. They also loved listening to each other and that quality was present throughout the day. Their careful and considerate listening energy danced with Nash’s work and together they inhabited the space to transform it. This echoed the way Nash listens to wood as he works it.
When artists have worked together before they have a shorthand of exchange that enables a short day to produce something of quality. I asked a lot of them all and they more than delivered.
In addition to the day’s work, Patrick has provided us with a score so if you are a musician – you can play along with them. You will find them below. The hope is that the Nash Reel will be learned and make its way into the Welsh traditional music sessions across Wales and further afield.
