Back in the studio!

Dance has such a strength in being physically present and alive. The talent Live Skullerud in TILT Grow is finally starting his work in the studio. We talked to her about the corona, the process so far and how the solo has now developed into a duet.

What is it like to be back in the studio?

- First and foremost, it is incredibly nice to be back in a normal work situation. Especially meeting people has been fantastic – it is a completely different energy at work when you are in the same room. Although it has been possible to do projects online, there is another dialogue in the room that strengthens the work.

How have you experienced the corona situation and how has it affected your experience of TILT Grow so far?

- In general, I felt very affected. Our work consists so fundamentally of being together in space. Dance has an enormous strength in being physically present and alive. And when it became a trend or a requirement to do things digitally, much of what is the strength of the art of dance disappears. In TILT Grow, it has worked well because we could do the seminars and mentoring conversations digitally. Therefore, the spring could be carried out as planned. We have met the right time for rehearsals and choreographic work also for now society is reopening. Enough so that we can actually get a lot of what was planned done.

Live says she misses unity with the other talents in the program because they have not been able to meet each other physically through the spring, but also highlights several positive aspects of her experience of the program so far:

- During both seminars that went digital, I felt like meeting the world a little again, that I was part of the environment or the field. They became a small window back into reality – I was allowed to feel that I am not actually alone in the world. It has also been very nice that the TILT Grow program has now built up gradually and that I have been able to build layers upon layers of knowledge towards the main part of the program this autumn.

Live was lucky with the timing of the test start for the choreographic work. On the same day as the solo work began, the authorities eased the infection control measures and made it possible for performing artists to be in physical contact again. This had a direct consequence for the work – solo became a duet. Live is now collaborating with company dancer Oliver Sale on the development of a duet.

- On Monday I started the rehearsal week, it was opened up for performing artists to be in contact with each other again and that has made my solo a duet. It has been incredibly rewarding after a long time alone in front of a screen or in the studio. Getting into a studio with two choreographers and a fellow performer that you work with physically – it has been a gift.

Pia Holden and Anne Holck Ekenes choreograph what has now become a duet between Live and Oliver. Pia talks about what it has been like to return to the studio:

- It has been absolutely fantastic. Now we have been inside for 3 months and have not been allowed to work with what we love. Now we can finally start our most important work – creating dance art and bringing young talented dance artists on the road, sharing knowledge and making the world a little richer.

The theme for the work so far has been adventure and both Anne, Pia and Live describe the process as playful. Anne says:

- Adventure gives plenty of room to play. Both in terms of themes and the surreal. The visual images you are left with when you read fairy tales are both exciting, unreal, fun, colorful and stimulate the imagination.

Live is looking forward to the further work in the studio and to meeting the audience this autumn:

- I am of course looking forward to performing the duet and being allowed to perform and communicate. I am also really looking forward to going deeper into the breadth projects and meeting the people we meet in the various municipalities. I look forward to the dance being important to people again.