DOUBLE DUTCH DIVAS & SKIPPING GAMES-SKIPPING NAMES

Renee Ridgway

In Skipping Games-Skipping Names, Renee Ridgway explores the meaning of Double Dutch. Ostensibly the name Double Dutch was coined by the English after they took over the Dutch settlement, and given to anything deemed confusing or difficult, more particularly language, but eventually became the name for jumping rope. Supposedly, the Dutch settlers brought the game to the Hudson River trading town of New Amsterdam (now New York City) after having obtained the rope (jute) from Suriname.

In the installation upstairs at the Dyckman house, one hears the raps and ropes of a Double Dutch performance, reminiscent of children's play and pastimes, emanating from their playroom. The sound recording is that of the Double Dutch Divas, an artistic group of women in their 40's and 50's who defy the demons of time by jumping Double Dutch. While the two ropes are twirled by performers in eggbeater fashion, the other performers, roped and rapid, jump in and out singing songs of the past, raps of the present. Though anachronistic, this installation conjures up activities of the Dutch tradition of jump roping in the present day neighborhood surrounding the Dyckman farmhouse, united by name and tradition.

Archived Elements

Recording from Dyckman Installation (MP3)
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Recording from Dyckman Installation

Images