#GDLifeinLockdown 2.0
Life in Lockdown is a blog series initiated by Greenwich Dance, which features community and professional artists close to the organisation sharing how they are staying creative during these isolating times.
Originally from Athens, Greece, I initially trained as a visual artist. I gained a BA in Visual Arts (2004, Manchester Metropolitan University) and an MA in European Dance Theatre Practice (2005, Laban). My passion of marrying Visual Arts & Dance resulted in co-founding Levantes Dance Theatre in 2005 with Bethanie Harrison.
We became the creators, designers and performers of a series of award winning, physical, humorous and visually quirky duets. Continuing as sole Artistic Director after Bethanie’ s departure from the company in 2017; I added in the company’s repertoire my love of movement in the air and circus practices, whilst continuing developing Levantes’s strong and recognisable visual style.
Levantes Dance Theatre’s performances for theatre venues and outdoor festivals and events are bold, bright and beautiful, inclusive and exploratory, scalable and commercial, with an original style that focuses on striking visuals, engaging characters and athletic movement. We have created an international reputation for original conceptual productions and work with a number of exceptional collaborators on each new project (Jerwood Arts, National Centre for Circus Arts, London Fashion Week, Crying Out Loud, Dance Umbrella, Sadler’s Wells, The Royal Opera House, the barbican, M&S and Selfridges amongst other venues, festivals and events; and have toured in France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Greece and the UK.)
We are so happy to have had a long and strong relationship with Greenwich Dance since 2009.
As a freelance performer, choreographer and teacher, I have collaborated and performed internationally with Stufish Productions, Upswing, Marie-Gabrielle Rotie, Protein Dance, Princess Drawing School, National Portrait Gallery, Retina Dance, CAMPO Victoria (Bel), Interkunst (Ger), Darkin Ensemble, EVERYBODY DANCE, Gossamer Thread Circus and Mandinga Arts amongst others. I recently became an Associate artist for Anystage Productions and have been a performer for Liverpool based company, Tmesis Theatre since 2015.
MONDAY
Since 2005 I have been posing and dancing as a model for various artists, schools and venues. The Princess Drawing School, National Portrait Gallery, Whitechapel Gallery and The Buckingham Palace amongst others. ‘Being still’ makes me meditate and balances both my mind and body, since as a performer and choreographer, I am constantly moving.
Today I am rehearsing for an online session curated by the director of LIFE DRAWING+, Agata Alcaniz. We are working on entrance, exits, positions and choices of Levante’s costumes that will inspire the artists to sketch, draw and paint.
Challenges:
- clear space/ background
- finding the exact camera position that the whole body can be seen clearly on screen.
- think of angles & pose dynamic. How do these transfer online?
TUESDAY
Started my day by practicing yoga. I have found it challenging not being able to be in the studio and train in the air!
We would be currently touring our outdoor works Canapé Art & THE BAND
Here are some beautiful sketches, drawings and collages from tonights LIFE DRAWING+ group. Costumes and headpieces are from the Levantes Dance Theatre wardrobe!
Featuring:
- @len_grant
- @aart_design
- @joseluistegero_illustration
- @mironenko.victoria
- @sheilsblairart
- @sue_foreman1
- @joseluistegero_illustration
- @joseluistegero_illustration
- @sheilsblairart
- marti_el_rubio
- @mcrjohn1
- @palmiute
