Darren Ellis

Artistic Director of Darren Ellis Dance, Darren has danced for many different companies including Random Dance, Mathew Bourne, Mark Bruce and most recently Richard Alston. He is currently making a new solo commissioned for the place prize 2010 and is an Associate Artist with Dance East.Darren’s Commission from DanceDigital, After Effects, is a collaboration with lighting designer Guy Hoare. The work investigates the relationship between rhythm, phrasing and intensity of light and sound alongside movement.

After Effects will be created using a drum kit that has been specially modified so that light will shine from inside the drums. A mixture of acoustic and digital drum sounds will be triggered using movement and both natural and man made objects to influence the light and sound from within the drum, thus bringing it to life.

The integral artistic motivation is to explore the effect of rhythm, both on the environment created and on both the performer and the audiences emotions. There are effectively two performers within the piece; the dancer and the drum, which acts as a vessel for both light and sound. The digital elements embodied within the drum bring this inanimate object to life. The light and sound are individually in control of their own rhythms whilst being able to determine one another’s. The dancer will have a direct interplay with these elements, creating an experience that heightens the senses for both performer and audience.

For more information on the artist visit http://darrenellisdance.co.uk/