Unattaching tanja råman+dbini industries
Unattaching is a short dance work that chronicles the breakdown of a relationship, exploring personal experiences of the sense of longing for something unknown and of the conflicting feelings of desperation and freedom found in the dissolution of a union.
At the heart of the work is the body and the space around it. The two dancers explore the dynamics of a disparate relationship through complex interactions with each other’s personal space, both on stage and on screen, with abstract and emotionally charged physicality and a resonant electronic soundtrack.
choreography Tanja Råman
sound/lighting/film John Collingswood
original costume design by Neil Davies
The soundtrack features samples and remixes from Unmarked Graves from the album AMAR and Saudade from the album WHERE DISTANCE BEGINS by Helen Chadwick (helenchadwick.com)
Produced with support from Coreo Cymru and Chapter.
About the artists
TANJA RÅMAN is originally from Finland and studied dance at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 1997-2000, gaining her MSc in Dance Science at Laban in 2003. Tanja completed her PgC Teaching in Higher Education at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff in 2008.
Since 2000, Tanja has worked as a dancer with various companies / choreographers including Monika Koch Ensemble, Marie-Gabrielle Rotie, Sean Tuan John and Harnisch-Lacey Dance Theatre, performing in contemporary dance / dance theatre / contemporary butoh productions in the UK and internationally. Tanja has been living in South Wales since 2004 and currently works as a freelance choreographer / dancer / researcher and until recently lectured on the BA (Hons) dance degree course at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff.
As a choreographer, Tanja Råman has developed a distinct movement aesthetic that has lead to her work being shown in established British venues and dance events, including The Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre, The Place Prize 2006 and British Dance Editions in 2008 and 2010. In 2007, and again in 2011, Tanja received Creative Wales awards from the Arts Council of Wales to embark on research projects and to develop her choreographic practice.
JOHN COLLINGSWOOD(dbini industries) is a multidisciplinary artist who works through sound, video and visual design. In 1992, he graduated from University of Wales, Newport with a degree in Fine Art, and began applying his skills in various performance contexts, from nightclub visuals and djing, through children’s theatre to contemporary dance. Since returning to Wales in 2006, he has collaborated with numerous artists and organisations including National Theatre Wales, Marc Rees, Sean Tuan John, Cai Tomos, Re-Live, gaijin-san company, Deborah Light, Earthfall and Welsh Independent Dance. John is one of a handful of artists in the UK currently using the software package Isadora to explore the possibilities of creating responsive video environments within a contemporary dance context.
tanja råman+dbini industries was created in 2005 by choreographer Tanja Råman and visual/sound artist John Collingswood to produce poignant work that, although abstract in nature, draws inspiration from personal histories, making the work accessible and emotionally significant to an audience. Over the years, the company has developed a distinct style of work that integrates abstract yet expressive movement with the innovative use of technology. The company aims to explore and enhance choreographic expression with the use of creative staging, using video, light, sound, photography, drawing and other artforms.
tanja råman+dbini industries is an associate company of Taliesin Arts Centre, Coreo Cymru and of the National Dance Company Wales.
www.tanjaramandbiniindustries.com
Iain Payne was born in Gibraltar and trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. He has toured and worked extensively in England and Wales in several dance pieces with Carlson Dance Company and toured to Germany and Belgium with Ballet Lorent. Iain has worked professionally with Charlotte Vincent, Nigel Charnock, Jo Fong, Ludus Dance Company, Rosie Kay and Dylan Quinn.
Recently, Iain has worked with choreographer Sean Tuan John in Bombastic’s Beyond the Stars, Alice Theatre/Joanna Young (Works on Grass) and with Tanja Råman. Iain has a Masters Degree in Photography and has collaborated with dance artists as a photographer. He has taught in schools and universities across the UK and currently works with Powys Dance as a Dance Development practitioner.
Presenting partners
Coreo Cymru
Coreo Cymru, Creative Dance Producer, Wales is a brand new three year initiative set up by the Arts Council of Wales to support the creation of dance product and develop the sector in Wales. Led by Carole Blade, a long standing member of the Dance Roads network, and previously Artistic Co-ordintor for Welsh independent Dance. The Dance Roads project will be the first of many exciting programmes that Coreo Cymru will deliver including an Immersive Dance Dome, Family Interactive Dance Exhibition and large scale touring productions development in partnership with venues and organisations throughout Wales. Coreo Cymru is based in and supported by Chapter and has a national remit with international ambitions.
Chapter
Chapter is one of Europe’s largest and most dynamic arts centres with cinemas, theatres, exhibition spaces, studios, café, award-winning bar and over 60 cultural workspaces. Chapter has an international reputation for excellence, innovation and collaboration, offering an everchanging programme of the best performance, films and exhibitions from Wales and from around the world. Chapter is the flagship for the contemporary arts in Wales and is one of the largest complexes of its kind in Europe.
www.chapter.org
