Opensource: (Videodance) 2007

Bodysurf Scotland, in partnership with videodance.org.uk, will be presenting Opensource: (videodance) 2007 from 20 - 24 November 2007. This is their second symposium and will be held at the Universal Hall Arts Centre, Findhorn.

Opensource: (Videodance) 2007 is an open symposium for artists, academics, curators and producers coming together to share ideas and work, network and debate. It provides a valuable platform for current issues in the area of screen dance practice to come to the surface. Screendance is a rapidly expanding area of artistic, academic and curatorial activity worldwide and collaboration between dance artists and media arts practitioners is invaluable. This year's symposium will build on the strengths of the 2006 event and aims to place current screen dance practice into a wider context. There will be a structure to the event but no set agenda.

The programme

The programme will include a mixture of pre-arranged presentations and open forums initiated by the participants, and there will also be several guest speakers.


Professor Tim Ingold, the highly respected social anthropologist at Aberdeen University, has been invited to present his most recent research interests that are currently exciting him. The territory he covers is wide and fascinating from environmental perception and skilled practice to language and technology, from the dynamics of pedestrian movement to the creativity of practice, from lines and line-making to cultural improvisation and art.

Australian Richard James Allen is Artistic Director with Karen Pearlman of The Physical TV Company, a multi-award-winning and critically lauded leader in the international dance on screen landscape.  The Physical TV Company develops and produces works within and across the media of film, dance and literature.  Karen and Richard have a wealth of professional experience in cinema and dance and a sustained and visionary  commitment to integrating the two arts. 

There will also be a special 'In conversation' event with improvising comedian Phil Kay.  To be at one of Phil's shows and expect stand-up would be a big mistake - anything can happen and invariably does! Phil's comedy is a unique blend of energy, improvisation and leaps of imagination that take his audience on a joyride they'll never forget. In this one off event he talks about his work and creative processes.

For more information on speakers and presentations, please visit the Videodance website.

General information

The symposium will be based at the Findhorn Foundation Community, which known throughout the world as a major international centre of personal and spiritual transformation and sustainable living. The community itself is situated on a 2-mile long peninsula amongst beautiful beaches, sand dunes and woodland. It is located in the North East of Scotland near to Inverness and Aberdeen Airports.

There will be an inspiring and nurturing environment, some speakers to inspire, some surprises, the unexpected, some music, some art. Participants will be taken on a walk to the beach, will eat together and will have time to think, talk and listen. Take a book, a film, song, your ideas, a presentation, a question, but don't take a video camera!

Please contact Bodysurf Scotland by email or on 01309 691 661 if you would like to join them at Findhorn in November 2007, and for details of fees, accommodation and travel arrangements.  Booking, travel and accommodation information and further details are available on the Bodysurf Scotland website and the Videodance website.