*Screening of ‘Artificial Things’ on our website has ended. You can see the work on the Stopgap Dance Company official website.
About ‘Artificial Things’
Artificial Things (2018) is a poetic and emotional drama that examines those traits at the core of humanity, including the courage needed to help one another and the fragility of our hearts. This work by the UK's Stopgap Dance Company, in which both disabled and non-disabled artists collaborate to create a new piece for the stage, has become a masterpiece of inclusive dance since its release in 2014. In the UK, it is also part of the GCSE (secondary education qualification) curriculum.
Originally a stage production, it was re-created in 2018 as a 26-minute film (this film) in collaboration with film director Sophie Fiennes. It won the 2019 DANCESCREEN Award for Video Choreography of 15 minutes or more and has received national and international acclaim.
We spoke to Laura Jones, who performed in the piece and works in talent development at Stopgap Dance Company about her thoughts on the piece. Jones was the Captain of the dance section for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
#CultureConnectsUs UK Disabled Artist Showcase featured artists and works
- Chisato Minamimura ‘Scored in Silence’ (2019) – 53 min
The screening of this piece has ended. - Sonia Allori ‘Curious-er’ (2021) – track time 10:40, ‘Never lose heart’ (2020) – track time 2:47 and ‘(Dis) Connect’ (2020) – track time 3:15
- Dike Okoh ‘2049’ (2019) – track time 3:53 and ‘Bossa Nights’ (2020) – track time 3:07
- Kris Halpin ‘Koi No Yokan’ (2019) – track time 3:37