Portrait and Landscape is a series of online bi-monthly events, conceived
by Wanda Moretti of Il Posto Danza Verticale in collaboration with Kate
Lawrence and Lindsey Butcher of Gravity & Levity. Over the course of 2021,
some of the worlds leading vertical dance choreographers will propose a
series of 'gifts' for our vertical dance community, comprised of a varied set
of interventions: presentations, videos, practical lessons.
They will also introduce a next generation vertical dance artist to present
their work at each meeting.
The first event is on 3 March 2021
Kate Lawrence
Immersions and Connections
A 30 min practical workshop with Kate Lawrence, 'Listening to Dance'. In this session I would like to share a project I am currently working on, that began in 2016, in collaboration with photonics scientist, Ray Davies. Yn y Golau/In-visible Light investigates the science of light and its existence in the natural world, such as the burning heat of the sun, the earth’s position in the ‘goldilocks zone’ and the bioluminescence of the undersea creatures. One of the central concerns of this work is how to deliver experiences of dance to those who can’t see. This focus has led to some enlightening insights for me, shifts in my perception of how dance might be experienced and how I can choreograph differently from this awareness. I hope to explore this with you in ways that attune us more closely to senses beyond the visual and explore opportunities for varied interpretations.
Presentation by Next Generation Vertical Dance artists:
Maliina Jensen (Greenland) “Promoting remote destinations via art and film tourism (pre- and post-corona)" Vertical dance is an art form that was born in the mountains. Still today, we see that many VD practitioners find their way into this niche field of work via climbing or with a background in aerial dance allowing for a rigging skill set, and often combined with a natural interest in working outdoors and in public spaces. I think the very notion of vertical dance is spectacular and adventurous in its use of climbing technology allowing us to work high up in the mountains and on the side of buildings, making vertical dance very effective in engaging public and outdoor spaces and reaching out to new audiences. For me, living in a small community in Greenland, which is so remote, and working very much on my own isolated from the rest of the VD community, working to combine VD and film, giving my work a digital life, has been my way of reaching a broader audience, promoting Greenland's performing arts scene as well as its adventure tourism, and connecting with fellow VD practitioners... And I think with Covid, this has only amplified...
Esther Wrobel (Denmark) I’ve been creating Vertical Dance works in Denmark since 2008 . Everything about Vertical Dance makes sense to me and is something I really love. Three things in particular: 1. It connects the impossible with the possible. 2. It allows dance and acrobatics to meet. 3. It can give a new meaning to any place. I have tried to enhance these three aspects of VD in the work that I do whether for the stage or outdoors. Lately, I focus more on the participatory aspect, wanting to bring the audience closer and immerse them in the bodily experience of being in an ‘alternate’ gravity. I’m currently doing an MFA research where I am asking: How can I share the experience of an alternate gravity? I am experimenting with setups to invite 'normal' people into the wondrous body experience of vertical dance. This brings a new layer of joy to what VD is capable of. In the presentation I will share a video sampling from the past and focusing on the present and talk a little more about the counterweight system I am working with.
