Decorate with light

Today we worked with coloured cellophane and created large sculptures that, once we lit them, filled the walls with colour.

We also make decorations out of small pieces of cellophane.

A fun and festive session had by all! 

Click "read more" to see the rest of the photos from the session.

Mandala

Today we explored the beauty and the ritual of the mandala.
The music was reminiscent of a twilight raga whilst we used our hands and bodies to explore the circular patterns of a mandala.
Using elastics and fabrics we created a large structure resembling a mandala and danced in it. We also worked with coloured rice to create small mandalas on the floor.
Please click "see more" to see the rest of the photos.

Circles

A simple structure, elastics reaching out to the high edges of the room from a central weight on the floor. Slightly hypnotic sounds drawing us in on the keyboard. Round and Round. Each person played their part in creating a circle ritual, in and out of the elastics, or circling arms and body. 

Then with music building, a weave of threads began to happen as balls of cloth were thrown from one to another around the elastics.

Relax in a new beautiful tangled space.

Click "read more" to see all the photos from today

The last few weeks...

We have been having a busy time here at LEVEL and we haven't blogged for a few weeks so here is 3 weeks of photos for you to enjoy!

Week 1

We used a large pendulum filled with coloured sand to create a large artwork on the floor. We worked as a team, using our bodies and poles to change the direction of the sand. 
Along side the group piece we also had powder paint to create individual artworks.

Week 2

After enjoying creating visual art piece the week before, this week we concentrated more on movement and music. We split into two opposing teams, the red team controlling bells and chimes whilst the purple team in charge of the drumming. After listening to the sounds, solo and group dances emerged and we finished by lowering the lighting and dancing with purple and red glowing balls.

Week 3

We re-grouped as red and purple teams but this week had the addition of a grid on the floor. We moved in and out of the squares and positioned objects within the grid.
To finish we went to the LEVEL gallery space to interact with a current exhibition "shadows". With 4 wall projection and music it is a place to relax and watch, but also a place to add to the installation by creating your own shadows.

Please click "read more" to see all the photos from the last 3 weeks. Enjoy!

Ritual II

We continue on the journey of exploring rituals.
With inspiration from an orchid we enjoyed a relaxing "zen like" space, using bells and chimes to influence dance and movement.
Please click "read more" for more photos from the session.

Rituals

For the next few weeks we will be looking at what rituals are.
Looking at different traditions, cultures and beliefs as well as what rituals mean to us.
How do we ritualise our own lives and when does an action become a ritual?
This week we used very simple objects to create a "sacred" place. The way we moved, the sounds we created and the way we controlled the bamboo and fabrics, we created our own ritual.
Click "read more..." to see some more photos 

Summer Celebration

Today was all about creating a feeling of positive wellbeing.

One area provided a full wall projection allowing us to be bathed in each others art work.

Another space had a relaxing treatment table where friends were treating each other to hand and head massages and herb infused facials.

Continuing on from last week we had an area to explore water and flowers, using reflective bowls and brightly coloured dyes.

All this, combined with a wonderful music team created a zen-like feel to the day. All of us leaving relaxed, happy and ready for the summer break.

We hope you enjoy the pictures and see you back here in September. :)

Ritual II

We continued on from last week, with the addition of water and flowers.

Here in Derbyshire, it is the time of the year for Well-dressing celebrations so we celebrated the water in our own style. 

Using petals and clay we created patterns and designs on each others skin and then performed impromptu dance pieces once adorned.

We then spent the end of the session enjoying the photography with the projector.

Enjoy the photos.

Ritual

Photography was kept to a minimum as we created a sacred space. 

With use of drumming, voices, movement and mud paints we joined together in a calm and inspired performance.

Rhythmic Rituals

Today we stepped away from technology and explored sound, using our bodies, voices and percussive instruments. Impromptu performances happened in responce to the music and a large charcoal canvas developed throughout the session. 
Please click "read more" to see more photos from the day.

Time to take flight...

Today we felt the wind in our hair and imagined the feeling of formation flying. 
Enjoy the photos :)

Space awaits...

Today we entered the control room of a space centre, and travelled to the moon.
Once we arived we experienced the feeling of zero gravity, met stange aliens and designed a new universe.
Enjoy the photos :)

Into the air...

Last week we looked at the contours of the land and created valleys and mountains.
Today we moved away from the ground and into the clouds. 
We enjoyed a relaxed space with beautiful music, gentle lighting and billowing silks.

Here are some photos from the day, we hope you enjoy :)

Mapping the landscape

Today we continued using the suspended net to look at contours of the earth.
We started with gentle movements of the net - a reminder of last week, then we went on to using our bodies and large balls to create mountains and valleys.
Slowly we introduced adding detail to our newly created landscape, weaving coloured strips of fabric, we marked out the rivers, roads, fields and flowers!

Enjoy the photos.

Contours 

Today we suspended a large net from the ceiling on pieces of elastic. 
Using our bodies we stretched and pulled the net to create the contours of mountains and valleys. We experimented with different lighting and projection angles and Geoff and his music team were busy creating gentle sounds, slowly rising and falling, like the landscpe we were creating with the net.

Here are the photos from the session,
Enjoy!

Into the Sand

Today we created large art installations using sand and slide projectors.
Our miniscule multicoloured slides threw vibrant light across the sand and the peaks and dips in the sand created wonderful light and shadow.
Impromptu performances happened as we used silks to capture different layers of the projections.

Some of the photos clearly show the process, whilst others invite the imagination to many other places, wind swept deserts or sunset filled beaches.

We hope you enjoy the photos.

Creatures in the Dark...

Following on from last week, we were still inside a cave.
Whilst the cave painting continued there were many other things to excite the imagination.
Strange animal prints in sand dunes, small animals scurrying across the floor and new animals that no-one had ever seen before! 
Both sessions were filled with energy and invention, who knows what may appear from the cave next week!
Please read more to see more photos from the day.

Cave Art

Today we become cave artists, using natural materials such as clay, mud flowers and charcoal we filled a cardboard cave full of wonderful designs.

Cave exploration

Continuing from last week's exploration, today we entered a dark cave.
Full of unknown creatures, waterfalls and dark corners.

Please click "read more" to see more photos from our day. 

Wild Landscape

Today we explored a multi-layered environment, traveling through dark, unknown spaces. 

Some people found caves with strange things hidden within. Others found places to hide among the undergrowth of a dark woodland. With branches hanging and chambers full of dripping vines there were many opportunities to let your imagination run wild.

Here are some photos from the session, we hope you enjoy.