Tuesday 20 September 2011

Vertical. Nature. Base. installation with performance

Echo Echo Dance and acclaimed artist Dan Shipsides set up camp in Derry
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, known as Northern Ireland’s leading Dance Company in collaboration with respected fine artist and Belfast-based climber Dan Shipsides will open phase two of the unique art, dance and sport project, Vertical. Nature. Base. this Saturday 24th September at 6pm.

Phase one of Vertical. Nature. Base. (or V.N.B.) saw Echo Echo’s Artistic Director Steve Batts and Dan Shipsides set up camp at a beautiful cove near Shroove beach in County Donegal for two weeks. There they explored climbing not just as a sport but also as a creative activity and how dance and movement relates to climbing and the landscape.

The documentation and research from phase one will be used to create an installation in Echo Echo’s dance studio on Bishop Street with daily dance performances in the space.

The project is part of Echo Echo’s Into Contact and is funded by Legacy Trust UK’s Connections programme in Northern Ireland. Legacy Trust UK is an independent charity set up to help build a cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Connections is managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Echo Echo Development Officer, Sarah Bryden said:

“The public weekends at the coast saw dozens of participants despite the weather and their input to the project has been crucial. People climbed for the first time, they swam, they photographed, they camped and they discussed ideas of climbing as a sport versus climbing as a creative activity. Echo Echo is delighted to see Dan and Steve bring their camp materials and experience back to Derry and to the dance studio for the next phase.”

Dugald Mackie, Chair of Legacy Trust UK, said:

“The games are about more than just sport. They are a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of people across the world. We believe that these projects will inspire and encourage people throughout Northern Ireland to get involved and will leave a lasting legacy for the region.”
Vertical. Nature. Base. installation will open on Saturday 24th September at 6pm finishing on 1st October with daily performances during lunchtimes, evenings and weekends. (Saturday 24th September- performance at 7pm, Sunday 25th at 6pm, Tuesday 27th & Wednesday 28th at 1pm & 6pm, Thursday 29th September at 1pm, Friday 30th September at 1pm & 8.30pm, and Saturday 1st October at 8.30pm)
For full details of the Vertical. Nature. Base. project, contact Echo Echo on 028 7130 8883 or email info@echoechodance.com. Alternatively visit http://www.echoechodance.com/.