The Dancin' on Extreme project is rooted in expressive and interdisciplinary movement and dance, using contemporary dance influenced by African – Caribbean diasporic storytelling. Participants embody ‘extremes’ of Antarctica, moving through imagined wind, windy oceans, heavy snow and the colds sensory textures - exploring the resilience and human survival in extreme environments whilst celebrating and respecting natures power and need for ice to preserve earths delicate balance.
The project which is currently in a research and development phase is funded by Arts Council England. As part of the project we worked with WeTwo Foundation (a charity providing nature expeditions for underprivileged children - founded by Pheobe Smith and Dwayne Fields who was the first black Briton to walk the magnetic north pole) to deliver Q&A sessions that incorporate sensory movement activities about experiences of Antarctica. We are also engaged with author Karen Young about her book ‘Antarctica the melting continent’ – which supported the delivery of interactive workshops for families and performance sharings at the Library of Birmingham and Sandwell Museums.
Image © Keneish Dance
Below is Keisha's reflective video journal for Dancin On Extreme R&D, this powerful work channels the raw urgency of climate justice through the body, and raises awareness of antarctica as a shared responsibility to confront unequal impacts of a world in crisis:
Keneish Dance will shortly be sharing Educational resources including movement ideas, games and info about Dancin On Extreme themes, to find out more about its release visit the website here