Aerial Work
Aerial O - November 2011
Aerial O a multi-art form creative project combined music, movement and aerial dance techniques for young people and adults with and without disabilities.
The project was led by Scottish Opera working with Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company, Waterbaby Dance Ltd, Dirty Feet (Community dance group), Ashcraig School (Glasgow City Council’s only secondary school for physically disabled adults) and Smithycroft Secondary School.
Participants began work with the creative team in September to devise their own performance, based on Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. They looked at themes of control, fantasy, journeys, gods and were inspired by the incredible visual impact of the aerial dome all of which led to a central concept of a battle between man and machine set in the Orpheus Artificial Intelligence and Digital Gaming Corporation. Participants made costumes, wrote original songs, choreographed movement and created characters all of which were incorporated into the performance.
The last stage of the process was six day residency at Scottish Opera’s Production Studios for intensive aerial training, bringing all elements of the production together. The performances was accompanied by singers and members of The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
The project was featured on Channel 4 - have a look at the Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company blog to read behind the scenes diaries, look at photos and watch the TV coverage.
Aerial Dance Workshops: August 2008
In August 2008 we ran a range of aerial workshops in Ludlow and Craven Arms:
- Kidzfirst – a group of young people with disabilities, aged between 8 – 22 years.
- SPAM – supported housing group & ‘open’ adult public workshop, disabled and non – disabled.
- Company developmental time with invited local artists.
- ‘Open’ workshop, young people aged 12 – 16 years old, disabled and non – disabled.
The workshops offered participants a new and exciting range of physical experiences, encouraging a sense of confidence, stamina, strength and flexibility.
‘I liked it on the ropes. I liked doing the starfish. I like the space’.
‘I enjoyed learning new skills because it’s different to other things. I enjoyed being challenged’
“I free”
- Participants feedback
Flying School 2006
The seven-day aerial training event led by Blue Eyed Soul and Jess Curtis included working inside with the floor, walls and ropes at different heights and exploring site-specific work outside in the grounds of Moreton Hall.
“It took my breath away, I have never felt such creative freedom”
“It has given me a new way of moving and a new way of seeing the world”
Flying School 2004
The Flying School was a residential event incorporating aerial work, dance and live music, run in association with DASh.
Working with Jess Curtis from ‘Gravity Physical Entertainment USA’, the techniques of flying were learned and the creative possibilities of using these skills were then explored. The fusion of working on and off the ropes offered new possibilities of mobility and creativity to everybody involved.
As a balance to the intense physicality of the aerial work everyone had the opportunity to work with musician/composer Jon Petter. The combination of the two elements - flying and music - produced daily performances, which stimulated and inspired each phase of the process.
FLYING SUMMER SCHOOL 2002
The ‘Flying School’ event (weekend workshop and four day intensive course culminating in a public performance) was both a developmental and innovative programme of dance for disabled and non-disabled people. Led by visiting artists Linda Parker and Olivia Bjorklund from New Zealand the event attracted people from far and wide. It confirmed our suspicion that we can all fly and inspired us to go further and higher.