Choreographic Projects & Installations
Selected works 1991 - 2011
Finding the Forest
1991
Conceived and directed by Johnson and sited in Forest Park - the largest urban forested park in the US, Finding the Forest invited the public to discover or re-discover its relationship to the seemingly wild aspects of our 'curated' natural spaces. The four-hour, self-directed walking loop through the park featured the subtle staging of work by 9 artists from varying practices, as well as the quiet and directive presence of a 40-member movement choir.
THE VIEW FROM HERE - FINDING, MARKING AND LIVING ON THE LINE
1999
ORLO Commission focusing attention on the unique land use policy specific to the Portland Metro region - the Urban Growth Boundary Line. Johnson created temporary installations at 6 different sites along the parameter of the UGB to bring the 'line' into focus and to create dialogue about its history, continued articulation, and complex political future.
TaxLot #1S1E4ODD - A Temporary Edible Urban Garden Project
April 2000 - April 2001
RACC InSITU Temporary Public Art Commission
TaxLot utilized a derelict plot of public land in the downtown core and turned it into a thriving and productive temporary urban garden for one growing season.
NOT FULLY MYSELF
1998
With the intent of focusing entirely on her performance practice for one year, Johnson commissioned seven choreographers to create original dance works for her. Included in this group was Mary Oslund, Stephanie Skura, Drew Pisarra, James Canfield, Kristy Edmunds, Gregg Bielemeier, and Josie Moseley.
South Waterfront Artist in Residence Program
2007 - 2008
Conceived, curated, produced and directed by Linda K. Johnson, SWF Artist in Residence Program was a 15-month, artist-driven research project that actively placed artists into the middle of a new urban neighborhood to create temporary works that both directly addressed and involved the community of new neighbors. The project involved over 25 artists from a wide range of disciplines and culminated in an extensive catalogue.
Layers of location
2003
Created in collaboration with architect Martin Houston as part of the city-wide project, Core Sample, Layers of Location used many architectural and performance methods and strategies to respond to the gentrification of a historically black urban neighborhood in NE Portland.
The City Dance of Lawrence and Anna Halprin
2008
Conceived, curated and produced by Linda K. Johnson, Randy Gragg, and Ron Blessinger/Third Angle New Music Ensemble, with choreographers Linda K. Johnson, Linda Austin, Tere Mathern and Cydney WIlkes
Presented by PICA, TBA:08
Promenade
2008
Involving over 60 paid performers and committed volunteers, Promenade proposed a future version of how this to-be-developed park would hold and fulfill the multiple dreams of the new residents who had moved into the neighborhood. Beginning in the late afternoon and concluding under a July full moon, Promenade was 4.5 hours long.
The Henna Project
2009
The Henna Project, a public art commission sited at Portland State University's Smith Memorial Union, was a collaboration between dance artist Linda K. Johnson and visual artist Stephen Hayes. Based on conversations with over 60 students stretching over several weeks, the project foregrounded the students' recollections of seminal advice offered to them by family members, teachers, mentors and friends throughout their evolution to adulthood. These quotes were then temporarily tattooed throughout the building.
WALKING TO KNOW: SATELLITE
2011
Curated by Terri Hopkins for The Art Gym at Marylhurst University as part of the exhibition Dance: before, after, during, featuring dance-makers Linda K. Johnson, Susan Banyas, Tahni Holt and Linda Austin.