z(ero)ing
Since 2016 I have been working, together with other dance-artists, to develop a movement research system called z(ero)ing. Z(ero)ing comprises a series of very specific ‘attention-placement-devices’ which support us to attune to SPACE: to connect with it as a substance rather than an abstract idea: to sense it as a surface, a ground, an integrative force: to witness the fullness (and emptiness) of our whole organism (body, mind and everything-in-between) as it moves in and through us: to dance with it.
z(ero)ing: a practice of emptying to receive, to connect with the Field. Attuning to the Presence of Space – to that no-thing that contains everything. Mary Nunan
Workshops, Z(ero)ing: Currently my approach to leading workshops is strongly based on z(ero)ing principles and practices. I have led these workshops in studios throughout Ireland and other countries including the US, the UK, France, most recently at Dance House Lefkosia, Cyprus (2022–2024) and prior to that during my time as Course Director of the MA Contemporary Dance, at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, UL (1999-2016) and as visiting guest tutor at the RCA, London (2016 -17).
L-R Salma Ataya, Mary Nunan, Isabella Oberländer, Rachel Sheil, Angie Smalis. Image credit Laura O’Loughlin.
The Parsley Collective: A Collective comprising five, Limerick based, dance-artists (2023-present). We came together because of our shared interest in researching z(ero)ing as part of a process of creating ‘frames’ for performance. We are very curious about the way that z(ero)ing nicely disrupts our programmed movement patterns and how this, in turn, creates space for fresh movement impulses and new ideas for performance to emerge. We are currently Dancers-in-Residence, Dance Limerick (2025/26). Visit the Parsley Collective’s Instagram.