Avid Shenanigans (2014)
Avid Shenanigans is a film installation combining silhouette animation, shadow interaction and live aerial rope performance. It was developed with Arts Council funding in collaboration with professional aerialist Claire Crook aka Madame Mango.
The starting point was a conversation with Claire about the mental preparation she does before training — a process of visualising herself performing physically impossible moves before attempting them. I became interested in making this interior process visible: the relationship between what the body can do and what the mind reaches towards.
In the film, an illusion is created where the aerialist's shadow gradually detaches from her body and begins to move independently, deviating from its expected role and becoming an animation. The film centres on the tension between the performer and her shadow — between the physical self and the imagined version that is always slightly beyond reach.
'Highly imaginative in its conceit and utilising an innovative combination of performative and visual techniques... As artists, Sarah and Claire are truly gifted, inspirational and highly motivated.'
Duška Radosavljević, Dramaturge.
