Describe your creative process when collaborating with choreographers and composers? How does it differ from your visual art/sculptural practice?
It has been a very collaborative process, I discussed with them a brief to work to, highlighting a set of ideas and notions to explore and the tone or mood of the piece. I also set out the visual look of the piece and the processes we will go through to achieve that. It has been a very fluid and enjoyable process.
It is different because I feel like part of a team working together towards the same goal. In my sculptural practice it is normally just me developing my work, I really think that the collaborative discursive process has been massively beneficial to my work.
What are some of the new skills you've learnt, or new understandings of the body since starting this residency?
Loads! I always try to do something new with every project I do. I am not a big fan of repeating myself. Technologically speaking I have learnt Motion Capture, and taught myself a few new pieces of software for Motion Graphics and video post production. I have never made films before with real people in! I have learnt about filming on green screen. I have learnt a lot about dance but still not how to dance. I think the biggest thing I have learnt is working with the practicalities of a project of this size and the number of people involved.
There are only so many hours in a day. Can you tell us about some of the projects you would love to have explored, but haven't had time for in the residency?
One thing I am really keen to explore is the relationship between movement and sound and how dance could generate sound rather that respond to it. Hopefully I am going to apply for funding to explore that and continue working with some of the choreographers and musicians I have collaborated with at Scottish Ballet.
What’s your ‘get-up and go’ song?
Over the last 10ish years there is one tune that I keep returning to which is Hajnal by Venetian Snares. It is over 7mins long but I urge everyone to stop what you're doing and listen to it all the way through. It is like a lifetime in one short piece of music and, personally speaking, it is impossible to get bored of. It will knock your socks off and get you up and going! It's a work of genius.
