Pure Surface was a performance series bringing movement, text, and film artists together to create short-duration collaborative performances. Curated by Stacey Tran and Danielle Ross, Pure Surface mostly took place at Valentines in Portland, Oregon and ran from 2014-2016.

How do the things that move us move with each other? How do we activate and encourage cross-disciplinary practice and performance?

Pure Surface takes its name from a chapter in Lisa Robertson’s book, Occasional Work and Seven Walks from the Office for Soft Architecture. Pure Surface carves out a space for play and a room for experimentation that brings dance, writing, and film communities together.

“Walking and parading we mix the surface of the earth, though we might intend that march’s purpose as ordination. Color marks exchange. It is border-work. Mixture is our calling” (Lisa Robertson, Occasional Work and Seven Walks from the Office for Soft Architecture).

Valentine’s | 232 SW Ankeny St. Portland, OR (FREE | open to the public | 21+)