'The Rules of Engagement' images/early ideas for new work

These images were captured during the production of the video piece The Rules of Engagement (2006), working with my grandfather at the Waygood Gallery and Studios in Newcastle upon Tyne. I love the concentration, focus and the feeling of strength that the images convey. The experience of working with my grandfather to make the piece was amazing - his total commitment to the performance and the art was really inspiring.

Early ideas/starting points for work

I particularly like the level of detail in the skin, which is missing in the video work. I hope to pick up on this a bit more on the new work I am about to begin using HD to shoot. I also hope to be able to emphasise the precision of the movement and the focus and the concentration using slow motion cameras.

I am interested in exploring the use of a fragmented image, focusing the camera on specific parts of our bodies - two rooms - as they move, reflecting one another - providing the viewer with snippets of visual information - inviting them to fill in the gaps - the closure principle. I am also interested in exploring after image, ghosts (phantoms), distorted reflections, creating Rorschach-esque patterns with our divided bodies.

Notes on Continuum (first edit)

Fiona Wright has written a response to Continuum, download the PDF here

Gold Object (Dance City Lab Space Day 5)

Test with Prosthetics (Video Stills)

Thanks to Daniel Barella, Satinder Chumber, James Froment and Rae for their input during the week at Dance City and on the day of the test shoot.

Final Destination (Dance City Lab Space Day 4)

The final day of preparation before the prosthetics test...

I feel I have arrived somewhere, I feel different somehow.

The stage was set with the help of James Froment (Dance City) and Daniel Barella.

Reflections on Beginnings (Dance City Lab Space Day 2)

My body is harsh and unforgiving, I do not understand it, it does not speak to me.

Oubliette

No bones - liquid gold - forming and re - forming - clinging

suspension

trying to force my body to slow down

control

disengage

turn off the alarm

float

umbilicus, connection, remembering, memories of the womb, asymmetry, embryonic, viscous

supine / prone

closed eye / artificial eye

falling down / staying focused

feeling out of body

heart beating like a bird

afraid

still

no-one is watching

eyes fixed

transfixed

leaving

rising

blood moving

exploding

tasting death

Space to Fill (Dance City Lab Space Day 1)

Dance City's Dance Lab space is vast, the first feelings on arriving were of apprehension, what was I doing here in this expanse, how would I fill it? I felt small, isolated, slightly disoriented.

I wanted to explore balance, movement, losing inhibitions and gaining awareness of my body. I met with Fiona Wright several times before taking on this opportunity. Fiona is an artist with a background in dance and movement, making live art works which draw from these disciplines. Something I am keen to explore for a new piece of video work, developing out of the Mutations research.

Fiona gave me some starting points, exercises to get me in touch with my body, to feel it. I started with some of these.

I decided to document the process with video and to write and draw, to take time out, separate from the usual pressures.

moving

heavy head

lead

bursting ribs

tearing paper

tracing thoughts

mindful

consumed

arms - thunder clouds

feet - broken glass

heart - beating

Hands are a focus, a way into my body, a place to fully connect with bone, muscle, blood and skin. opening and closing brings me back. Tight fist, nails pushing, pressure, release, allow to breathe.