On The Wire - Digitfest, The Lowry

THE LOWRY - DIITAL ARTS WEEKEND
Last night, Friday was the dance day of Digitfest at The Lowry. I booked for the Workshop, On the Wire with Dora DaCruz (dance) and Tim and Amanda Simpson Photography (lights)
We didn't really know what to expect. There were ten of us. Each session was available for ten people. Studio 2.
I'm not sure about the title, but wires, electrics...fair enough.
I love the idea of mixing technology with the arts so was keen to try something I've never tried before. Everyone was unsure about what was going to happen, but seemed excited.
A 'camera' was set up near the centre of the room, a white wall, and a screen, printer, equipment on a table and music. We were welcomed and it was clearly explained what we were going to do. Dora felt drums were the best to bring out our inner warrior so that played. Felt right.
We took turns to spin across the floor holding some form of light, a long cylindar, two small pin like shapes, a circular space ship looking one. And immediately the streaks and images we produced appeared on the screen. It soon became apparant that the best images came from walking and moving the lights. It was the lights that needed to move, best slowly, rather than our bodies to dance.
To watch, it was more interesting to see dancing with the lights, to see the image on screen, it was best to have made the lights move slowly.
And so we learnt. The poses or jumps that were photographed at the end of each turn, following a trail of light were impressive. 3-D trails, coloured squiggles, glowing spheres injected in. Shadows were created, powerful poses, Jackson Pollock trails, sciencefiction type tubes.
Dora inspired, Tim and Amanda, the lighting photographers instructed and encouraged and everyone applauded. It was a safe, fun, interesting, inspiring, creative environment.
It left me wanting more. To take longer to explore moving the lights, playing with them, finding out what you could do.
Tim said there is no right or wrong. Dora feels the same. It was a new experience that I would happily repeat. All sorts of groups would benefit. The combination worked perfectly.
The pace of the hour never flagged so we kept creating. A definite recommendation.