Creating Connections

Creating Connections is a collaborative research project funded by British Council International Collaborations fund.  North Wales-based Kate Lawrence of VDKL, Venice-based Wanda Moretti of Il Posto and Brighton-based Lindsey Butcher of Gravity & Levity are all internationally known vertical dance choreographers, dancers and educators. We aim to build on our collaborative practices for vertical dance and draw on the approaches developed in the experimental dance scene of the 1970’s (think Trisha Brown, Simone Forti, Robert Morris) to deepen and develop our practices around inclusion, participation and inviting different and new audiences into our work.

The first took place at the Vertical Dance Centre in Marghera, Italy, hosted by Il Posto, working with a group of 15 male refugees aged 19 to 56 from Afghanistan, Columbia, Eritrea, Gambia, Libya, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Ukraine, from the Rossarol Centre.  We explored moving together in an atmosphere of mutual trust, sharing space with respect and care and laughing a lot.  We discovered how important dance is to mutual well-being, empathy and understanding. Participants said:

How I looked into your eyes!

Since I arrived in Italy it’s the first time I dance

Even I, who have sadness in my heart, ended up laughing.