We are delighted to introduce you to the newly-formed company of dance artists from the south west region who will be coming together to create and perform site-sensitive performance ‘Take a Seat’. ‘Take a Seat’ is curated by Mole Wetherell from Reckless Sleepers and is co-produced by Dance in Devon and Eyeview for the (extra)ordinary programme in Torbay.
Eyeview forms part of Torbay’s Great Place Scheme. The Great Place Scheme is funded jointly by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. This project forms part of this wider programme.
The work will explore the simple everyday object of the chair, as a response to ‘A String Section’ by Reckless Sleepers. Take A Seat looks at what is possible for a human body to do in, on, with, or around a chair, and what the chair can mean: as a place of home, refuge, reflection, rest; but also as a place of separation and isolation
The performances of Take a Seat | Reckless Sleepers will take place in Princess Gardens, Torquay, on the 15th June at 2pm and 7pm.
Meet the artists
Jane Mason:
Photographer: Benjamin Borley
Jane lives near Exeter. She trained in theatre at Bretton Hall in the early 90’s before dancing for various choreographers (Wayne McGregor, Colin Poole, Wendy Houstoun, Deborah Hay) and creating her own work to tour (Life Forces (with Phil Smith) Singer, Desert, Come on Sun (shortlisted for The Place Prize) and films (ANDOUT, Hard Told, The Pleasure of Gliding, REST YOUR HEAD). She collaborates widely (Quarantine, Lone Twin, Theatre Alibi) works in a range of community contexts (in homes, on streets, with families) and in education and academic research (most recently with people and their experience of homelessness). Across her practice is a special interest working with non-trained performers.
Her approach, often working with materials and objects that transform, invites a quiet attention to detail, and an active slowing down into present process. Her current work Night Flying is created in collaboration with David Williams. Jane is also an associate artist at Exeter Phoenix and a Kaleider Resident.
Kyra Norman:
Kyra Norman is a performer, choreographer and researcher working across dance, theatre and film. Over the last twenty years, she has developed a practice which is characterised by collaboration, curiosity and a commitment to bringing movement and dance into conversation with the world around us. Current work includes Restless Roots, exploring movement, connection and place on the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall, singing with the Blazing Heart Chorus (alt-country/ Americana group based in Penzance) and with Tuesday Night Fun Club (a gang of 30-odd singers and musicians from across West Cornwall), and lecturing on the Dance & Choreography degree programme at Falmouth University, where she specialises in site-based performance making and dance on screen.
Kuldip Singh-Barmi:
Photographer: Daniela Buda
Kuldip’s fascination with the body and its capability for expression and physical exploration through dance fueled his desire to become a professional contemporary dancer. He completed his dance training at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 1992. He was a founding member of CandoCo Dance Company, working with them over a seven-year period, during which time he assisted in the development of the international education program, alongside performing extensively nationally and internationally.
As a freelance performer he has worked with choreographers and companies such as Emilyn Claid, Lloyd Newson (DV8), Siobhan Davies, Darshan Singh Bhuller (Singh Productions), Annabel Arden (Theatre de Complicite), Kwesi Johnson (Kompany Malakhi), RJC Dance Company, Fidget Feet Arial Dance/Theatre Company, Attik Dance and Company Pyke. Additionally he worked as a choreographer, rehearsal director, choreographic advisor and mentor.
Kuldip’s current performance work is based on his research into improvisation as a performance practice, instant composition. Kuldip is currently senior lecturer and course coordinator for BA(Hons) Dance & Choreography at Falmouth University.
Rosie Race:
Rosie Race is an interdisciplinary performance artist and actor. Having trained at Dartington College of Arts in Choreography and recently graduating from RADA with an MA, she is currently making her first solo show around ideas loneliness and intimacy addiction which will embark on it’s tour in Spring 2020.
Salinda Nichols:
Salinda Nichols is a conceptual interdisciplinary artist residing in Devon who creates dance, film, and performance art in a large breadth of contexts. In her work she explores the idea of the micro and macro body. From cell division, to the scars our life has left on us, to the mental state from one’s experience, she investigates the space where film, art, and movement meet. Nature in contrast with industry is featured prominently in her work, as is the juxtaposition these elements have with the moving body. Coming from a background of dance and art, she utilizes her unique experiences to help create authentic pieces of work that speak on a multitude of levels.
Salinda holds her MA in Contemporary Dance from the London Contemporary Dance School, where it was awarded with Merit. Her video dance work has been featured in the Journal ‘Cinewomen’ which celebrates Independent women filmmakers and has been shown at various galleries across the UK, USA, and Europe while her performance work has had similar reach. After taking 2018 off to creatively reset Salinda is already working on her next video dance project and is looking forward to carving out space for her work in the South West.
The Eyeview cultural programme forms part of Torbay’s Great Place Scheme, funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.