'Compass' performance at the Salon Exhibition, Kube Gallery

Dates: 4 November 2008

Abstract:

'Compass', performed by Dr Olu Taiwo (Winchester University), formed part of the Salon exhibition of artists and research fellows. Olu Taiwo and Lizzie Sykes have been collaborating on this arts and technology practice based project, using the ‘ballcam’. It’s a spherical, wireless, wide angle camera that Lizzie Sykes developed for dance within a landscape. The dancer holds the ballcam and so becomes the camera operator as well as performer, producing an intimate, responsive encounter.

Coupled with this camera, Olu Taiwo’s choreography draws on many global references including Capoeira, Sufi dances, and basketball. There were two performances on the 6th November, featuring a sequences developed using two ‘ballcams’. Each move in this performance is a result of an extensive period of devising and reflecting on recorded rehearsal work. The work stemmed from an ancient idea around the fifth compass point – one’s inner direction.

Each performance was followed by a presentation from Sykes and Taiwo, followed by a q&a. Present at the q&a were artists, staff and students from a number of universities including Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth University and Winchester University.

The Salon Exhibition was curated by Lizzie Sykes, and was a group show that featured artists Vicky Isley and Paul Smith of Boredom Research, Peter Hardie, Stephen Bell, Susan Sloan and Phil Allen.

To see images of performance and exhibition set up go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizziesykes/sets/72157618864643724/

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Lizzie Sykes