Remote Dancing 2004

Remote Dancing was a video installation developed in collaboration with choreographer Rosemary Lee where the interaction of a viewer and an on-screen dancer becomes an intimate pas de deux.

The installation was formed of three ten-metre-long enclosed corridors each with an entrance at one end and a rear-projection screen at the other. The participant entered each of the darkened corridors and, on doing so, discovered a life-size projection of a dancer appearing on a screen at the far end.

As they approach the screen the dancer reciprocated by dancing in a straight line towards them. If the participant moved backwards away from the screen the dancer simultaneously retreated backwards reacting as one’s reflection would in a mirror.

“I enjoyed seeing other people enjoy it. For me it captured an intense human need for connection. Great interactive enjoyment for young and not so young! Excellent! The most imaginative and engaging piece I’ve seen since Olafur Eliason’s sun at the Tate, best thing in London today. We are never alone.”

- Visitor

This piece received a four-star review in The Guardian on August 9th 2004.

Credits

Performers: Henrietta Hale, Frank Bock, Omari Carter, Colin Mclean, Matilda Lee-Kronick

Installation and Concept: Nic Sandiland

Devised by: Nic Sandiland and Rosemary Lee

Choreography: Rosemary Lee and the dancers

Composer: Graeme Miller.

Camera: David Gopsill

Funded and supported by: Arts Council England, Artsadmin, South Bank Centre

(documentation photographs Hugo Glendinning, Pau Ross

Presentations

2009: Noorderzon festival, Groningen, Netherlands

2007: New Moves festival, Roubaix, France

2007: Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wales

2006: Centre National de la Dance, Paris

2006: Quay gallery, Isle of Wight

2005: Bunker arts, Slovenia

2005: Nott Dance Festival, Nottingham

2005: Spring Dance Festival, Utrecht

2004: Royal Festival Hall, London

2004: Metropole Galleries, Folkstone

2004: Lyric Hammersmith, London

2004: ICA, London