I'm immensely proud of this production that was practically put together in two weeks. Working with the hugely talented Holly Blakey, the incredible dancers and Southbank's excellent team was fun and opening the refurbished Queen Elizabeth Hall such an honour. To have my lighting positively mentioned on the Guardian is more than I could hope for.
Future is golden
Another week spent in Dance4 in Nottingham with Callaghan and Kenyon Projects. A lot of things discovered, even more questions raised. This process is new to me in that we've decided to take the time required to get the piece ready. It feels right but at the same time scary, like a bottomless well. Funnily, our biggest scenic element, a golden dance mat is reflecting in exactly that way.
We know it's going to be golden. Just not sure when.
After a long week
http://neilandsimone.co.uk
http://www.dance4.co.uk
Maiden of Finland is dead
We spent last week in Turku, on the western coast of Finland. Working with the local dancers from N0llapiste collective and the fantastic Janina Rajakangas, Kirsi Gum and Miki Brunou, a new project is under way. The working title "La Fin - Maiden of Finland is dead" refers to the female character that for decades has symbolized the country. Blond, serene, prudent and virtuous, the Maiden of Finland represented the desirable post-war qualities for the nation. The piece will be challenging the image of that maiden and questioning which characters are actually more true to the contemporary society.
The piece will premiere in a public space in the centre of Turku 5th January 2017. Below is a previz of the setup. Wear your woollies and come see the modern maidens!
La Fin visualisation
http://nollapiste-kollektiivi.blogspot.fi/
http://janinarajakangas.blogspot.fi/
http://www.kirsigum.com/
https://vimeo.com/95679839
Trying to be human
This week I will be working in Stockholm on the latest choreography by Disa Krosness. She is one of the most exciting young, emerging choreographers at the moment and the piece, Try Human, is an interesting exploration in feelings and for a non-verbal bond between people – a bond from the inside out.
Try Human wants to relate through intuition and unravel a language that speaks directly to the viewer without having to be explained. It is the hope for communication through sensation, empathy and intimacy.
The starting points for the lighting design are isolation, play and glimmer of hope.
The light of love
The summer is officially over; the temperature dropped overnight and it has been raining solidly for two days. Whilst saddening, it makes for the perfect conditions to return to the office work.
The production week is soon upon us so this week I'm preparing the lighting plot for Dinosaur, the dance duet about love by Janina Rajakangas Project. It is so good, true and funny depiction of the absurdity of love and relationships and I think everyone who's ever been to a relationship can relate to it. It is an interesting challenge to create the light of love.
We're premiering in end of October at The Place in Euston, London and the tickets are on sale now.
