We have conducted empirical observations with dance artists and choreographers to better understand how dance created by and for disabled people, is made. This has assisted our understanding of how the law intertwines with dance, and how this interaction affects the dancers and choreographers themselves.
Our observations to date have been primarily focussed upon two dancers and choreographers, Caroline Bowditch and Claire Cunningham, with observations taking place mainly in Glasgow, Coventry and the Candoco Studios in London. We have also conducted observations with Welly O'Brien, Kimberley Harvey, Chisato Minimamura and Marc Brew.
We have been very fortunate to observe Claire working on Give me a reason to live, a solo performance inspired by the work of medieval Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. We have also observed Claire working on Guide Gods, which explores the perspectives of disability as held by world faiths. A short clip of Guide Gods can be found here.
During our work with Caroline, we observed the choreographic process surrounding the creation, and the rehersals, of Falling in Love with Frida, winner of a Herald Angel award at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A short clip of Frida and the audience response to the work can be viewed here.
InVisible Difference YouTube Channel
We have set up a YouTube channel to provide those who have been unable to attend our events with videos of our work. We aim to reach as many people as possible and maintain a strong social network presence. We have recently uploaded the keynote speech from Caroline Bowditch, panels and discussions from our Disability and the Dancing Body Symposium held in the Siobhan Davies Studios, London on 26th November 2014. These clips can be viewed here
InVisible Difference maps
We are working on several maps which show the locations where the InVisible Difference team have given talks on the project, and the locations of independent artists and dance companies working in the sector in the United Kingdom and beyond. To find one of the maps we are working on, click the image above or click here
This map is a work in progress and will continue to develop as our project evolves.
If you think that there is information missing from this map which should be included, then please do email us at info@invisibledifference.org.uk
Fieldwork