Hedda is a multi-disciplinary and multi-platform experience in which a unique dialogue is created between movement, sound and live Japanese ink drawings unfolding on a screen through a projector. This collaboration is with Dancer/Choreographer Imogene Newland and Sound Artist Suk-Jun Kim, with 72-year old Anne Steenhauer-Randall appearing as guest performer. The dialogue focuses on malfunctioning of human body and mind in different stages of life. The work is supported by Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund and a Residency through CityMoves Dance Agency and performed live as part of the May Festival University of Aberdeen. A 20-minute audio-visual production was screened at Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow.
The fluidity of Japanese ink lends itself very well for capturing the essence of a pose, or mirroring motion, as well as introducing characters and background for the dancer to interact with and respond to. The colour and marks that can be created in Japanese ink are unique – mixed with the constant movement of the visual image, sometimes coming clear, sometimes more abstract, but always radiating inherent beauty.
Hedda, a live stage performance at the 2018 May Festival Aberdeen University
Not only does the interface between drawing and movement appear by capturing flowing lines and distinct gestures that the dancer creates, but also by the added layer of choreographic scoring through which movement is mapped.
All of these motions and colours are further explored in sound through its gestural, textural and timbral permutations that would resemble to support, or contrast to question the visual and somatic discourses.
