Ashmolean Museum Dance Collaboration with Luke Webster

In collaboration with Luke Webster (independent photographer) we produced dance on film with me dancing in an open space, located on the bottom floor of the Ashmolean Museum.

This was my first experimental project based on my surroundings. I allowed my body to do what if felt like in the space, however, as time went on I noticed my body and mind was wondering into it's own storyline. This improvisation was becoming more about the struggles of how hard it is saying goodbye to Oxford when I'm at university in Falmouth.

In terms of movement, I was inspired by what my body had naturally retained from it's muscle memory, from two summer schools I attended across July and August. I feel that I have a diverse range in movement, through multiple classes with different contemporary artists; who each have an individual style. Thus, becoming noticeable that movement I generate is an experiment from both what I have retained and how I am developing that into my own individual style. However, I have noticed that I sometimes slip back into what I know and only through watching back footage I can see what I would have done differently. This self reflection process enables me to uncover the process I am currently doing so that I may approach it differently for the next project. As my PIC is across Europe, I will explore interdisciplinary arts with projects and classes it will allow me to constantly be reflecting on my movement language and communication across video media.

In its early stages, as my first project, it is already noticeable that my upper body strength has improved. Which is evident with the muscles that can be seen on my back and my use of core which supports upper body movement. Seeing this for myself has now sparked new ambitions from this PIC module, to see how my body can change over the amount of intensity I can put it through; whether it be through my own exploration or from workshops I attend.

Below are a few images captured by Luke Webster during the shoot.

Photo by: Luke Webster

Photo by: Luke Webster

Photo by: Luke Webster

See full video below:

With thanks to Marie Giraud (Event Sales & Communications Manager).