Productions

In 1998, choreographer Charlotte Vincent, photographer Paula Summerly and writer Keith Jafrate were commissioned by Photo ’98, Year of Photography and the Electronic Image to create a print based publication exploring the relationship between the body, text and image.

The project was designed to explore the body through the visual and photographic work of Paula Summerly (Vincent Dance Theatre’s company photographer from 1994 – 1999), and through the writing of new poetic text by poet Keith Jafrate, with whom Charlotte Vincent had collaborated with on past projects.

The three artists collaborated over several weeks, workshopping textual, visual and movement based ideas at The Wordhoard, Huddersfield, in the studio at Yorkshire Dance, Leeds and out on location across Yorkshire.

Dancers photographed for the publication were Harry Theaker, Fleur Darkin, TC Howard and Charlotte Vincent. Graphic Designer Dom Raban of Corporation Pop (previously Eg.G Design) was given a portfolio of images and text to manipulate into the concertina montage that became body:ink. This one off, printed publication (measuring 25cmx 15cm) is read like a book, and also opens up to reveal a long montage of body and movement images. On reaching the end of the book, the piece is turned over to reveal a long poem and more images on the other side.

A limited edition of body:ink was printed and given away at the launch of the alt.dance festival at Yorkshire Dance, Leeds, alongside a related exhibition of VDT’s work. Other limited edition copies were sold to the public at Site Gallery, Sheffield and in Arnolfini bookshop Bristol. An unusual and visually striking publication, photographs and descriptions of body:ink have been included and published in several design books and the original design has been exhibited in Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds.