Having finally arranging and re – arranging the time table to meet with everybody to finally record the portraits , the date was set.
Everybody would attend a final interview with Miguel one on one and film what would be called a portrait. Everybody had to bring with them an object that had some connection between them and dance. The idea of a portrait would give everybody the chance to paint their own picture and communicate their connection to dance in the way best suits them.
As camera man on the day, I recorded everything. Through recording the different portraits I came to realise that through the dialogue between Miguel and each person, there was another dialogue taking place in the “ body”
And o my did some of there bodies talk. It was if the sub - consciousness was dancing out aloud at times. At once point I got so fascinated watching the words come through there body that I felt myself drifting in and out of zoom with the camera, to almost catch where the movement started from each of there bodies. With both groups, the objects that connected them to dance became even more varied and unique.
At the end of each session both myself and Miguel would check over all the recording and make sure we had everything captured and noted. All the information that collected is vital for the creation and development for the project. At times we would both point when looking back at the footage a select few key events in peoples portraits that make them unique.
The last Sunday of the residency both groups came together and shared there experiences, and it was a chance for Miguel to relay his idea, and generally get a feel for who is keen to get involved further and maybe perform as part of the next residency with Miguel here in Nottingham in 2011.
As much as Miguel and myself worked hard on the project, meeting people, collecting information, and visiting different spaces around Nottingham that played a part in peoples life’s in relation to movement, we did however find time for fun and our own exploring.
One of the great things was the British Art Show started at the beginning of the residency, which just filled Nottingham’s creative art scene jammed pack with arty types. I am sure there was an event happening every night in the city. I remember following Miguel to an event at Wollaton Hall to see some performance art, which for me was exciting, as I grew up around the corner from Wollaton Park. I had only ever seen it as this cold autumn’s day school trip; to see the stuffed animals or steam engines run around the park. The performance artist challenged both the space and the audience with there creativity and it was the perfect treat for a Sunday evening in early November.
One of my lasting memories are of me accompanying Miguel to the NTU campus by the theatre royal, to assist an interview for a portrait. The location was chosen as the participant wanted show Miguel where they worked and also how amazed they had become with the movement within the building. As the student ‘s pass through the corridors from lecture to lecture, wherever you placed your self in the building it building it resembled a “Merce Cunningham meets Richard Alston compositional dance off” the space is truly spectacular. All three of us sat for a while, just watching all the accidental beauties come about between all these students rushing from room to room. We all commented after on how we felt like we had been apart of giant movement installation right in the centre of Nottingham.
Now the first part of the residency is over until the new year, I know everybody who had taken part, must now of had the opportunity to think how they can remain creative within there weekly practice. I really hope all the new contacts and connections between people found amongst the groups continue to grow and get stronger.
Until Miguel is with us again,
Dwayne Simms; Independent artist, Nottingham.
