http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/ The weblog of Catherine Bell, former student at the SSCD. Blog is closed, archive material only en Copyright 2008 Tue, 25 Nov 2003 12:57:27 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss I have been in hibernation these past weeks if anybody has been wondering. I have decided to start making practical decisions about my life and future- v.serious indeed! I feel I have joined the rat-race a bit in London and have been swept up with the waves of people there trying to survive. Coming to Spain couldn´t have come at a better time for me. I think I needed complete relaxation and perhaps isolation ( why do we find our own company so difficult sometimes? ) from friends and jobs and my normal environment to make plans for myself. I think I have been drifting- doing class each week, and exercises at home to keep in shape, but I wasn´t keeping my brain very active. Espania has been fantastiche for inspiration. Everything here is sooooo colourful, and because it is so new to me, I find myself just being able to watch things and people for hours. The weather has been brill which obviously helps! So far I have made one decision. I don´t want to audition to be a ´dancer´anymore. I think I want to ´make´pieces, and perhaps dance in them, but we shall see. So at least I can concentrate my energies on this now, if that is what I decide. I am trying to get some dancers together to make a piece in the new year at The Spàce in Dundee. Not for anything in particular- just because there is space availible there, and as Billy Evans neè piper said- ¨because we want to¨ cheers editorio, http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/on_a_break.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/on_a_break.php Tue, 25 Nov 2003 12:57:27 +0000 Well I didn't get to do Resolution!!!!!!!!! this year. Och well. Fell disappointed but not broken hearted, they didn't have the time to actually watch any footage of my work when they made their decisions, instead they waded through mountains of written applications. I completely accept that my choreog could be pants but why reject apps because they aren't described in a particularly 'place' way. However, I have a PLAN, but it is still in my tete, so watch this space- as that idol Darius said ' you haven't seen the last of me!' ( apologies!) http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/pants.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/pants.php Thu, 02 Oct 2003 12:56:48 +0000 OCH! Have just read wee Allan's last blog from scoto-land and am touched, what a cutesie. (I believe he wants me to feed him when he comes to london). Am seriously excited about seeing him too, and hope him going to Laban will give me the good kick up the back-side I sooo badly need to do class more, am totally jealous. I did go to Ballet last friday at Pineapple or should I say Fame Academy- is all jungle trousers and hair flicking there. What can I say? Contemporary dance has made me accustomed to greasy hair which is neither straightened nor highlighted and is often found in vast clumps on legs and under arms- and i'm talking about the laydeees. I think it is kinda wholesome though, I mean why not!!? It grows there for a reason, why are so many people disgusted by it? I had this convo with some of my regulars ( in my pub- times aren't that hard!) and they believe it 'just isn't right', every night I take home pearls of wisdom from the pub! Anyway the Ballet calss was prof level, and was difficult but not imposssible if you know what I mean, I found the peeps there a bit showy though. All teeth and hairspray, oh and pointe-shoes! Never mind, was an experience. I am working in two pubs at the mo, and I meet so many different people- sunil is a tax man who is going to help me with my tax rebates (am convinced this is going to be huge and solve all money probs), Steve is a copper and gave me some info about the IPCC (independant Police Complaints Commission invetigator job I applied for- haven't heard yet), Peter is a v. keen yogi who has told me all about local yoga, pilates etc. classes. He actually also tried to then tell me a bit about tantric sex! I explained that I wasn't THAT keen. Anyway you get the picture. I get to know lots of new people and it's not that hard a work when it's not busy. Is a bit demoralising tho sometimes, employed dancers are such lucky people, to be doing what they love day in, day out. Still they don't know sunil, pete and steve! Have applied for Resolution!!!!!-that exclamation mark irritates me. Don't know what will happen but will blog the result. Also have applied for interesting full-time jobs, that I could see myself doing for a while. Am a temporary kinda gal I think. At some point before christmas will be off for a month to travel around europa and buy a house with me dear ole ma!That sounds so exciting and I think it will be. Think that is about all that is happening in the world of the cat. Will be going to see smallpetitklein on thurs at Jacksons Lane if money and my work permits. Think Tommy's stuff is fantastico. Very flicky. If you've seen any of his work you will know what I mean- i think! http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/scotoland.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/scotoland.php Sun, 07 Sep 2003 12:55:35 +0000 Am now a resident of the big smoke once again- aw shucks! warmth, shopping, bars............................. Is nice to be back but did love my time in scotland, and miss the friendly bonny scots. People are so moody here. Note to self- stop looking at people you don't know Catherine. You are immediately classed as a) Psycho or b) a pervert, if you do. (am neither for the record, just used to smiling dundonian faces around me. Am also a fully-employed dancer, or dance artiste as people are so fond of calling it nowdays! WHY!? Something i'm missing? Came across this first at some residency or other, when everyone had to introduce themselves on the first day. We all had to sit in the obligatory circle and it was some bird say called sally: "Hi i'm sally and i'm a dance artiste from Edinburgh" and then a v. long biography of her very interesting experiences in the dance world, which would make the rest of us feel awful that ours had gone a bit like this: "Hi I'm cat, I'm a struggling dancer (nervous laugh inserted here), and I um, am still in training. Full stop. Thangyouverymuch. Anyway, yes have been employed and the project is being rehearsed in Hackney and performed in a house in Highgate. Think, big wigs, big dresses, big house, big music (actually big is the wrong word! is very beautiful though, a string quartet are playing live and a pianist) is very pride and prej. Am very excited to be involved. Is bloody hard work but am totally loving all the movement etc. The other dancers are very experienced, which is daunting sometimes, but they are lovely and are really patient with me. I have to lift Allan which is quite hilarious! We have had to curb our laughter on occasions when it'e the 3rd time that day we have landed in a heap on the floor- literally. Anyhow, this seems to have become a bit of an advertisment! Maybe Article19 should come and see us!!?? Bit of a hint eh!? But no dry humour if you do please dahlings!Will write again when I'm no longer employed! http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/the_big_smoke.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/the_big_smoke.php Tue, 01 Jul 2003 12:54:33 +0000 Have finished school.......can no longer use my student status as an excuse......... have truly entered the world of adults. How hard is it to actually do things by yourself!? We used to have 'lives' at school, which means that you were allowed 3 unexplained absences before thay started to ask questions, it really was like a computer game- game over for those who didn't know the system! I spread my lives out over the term, cos you never knew when you would need them. Sometimes I just couldn't cope with release or choreog' or arty people generally, I needed to lay at home with my book and feel sorry for myself, wondering why I ever chose dance as a subject when all my film studies buddies were all laying guilt free in bed, and dreaming of a normal 9-5 what a way to make a living! Am a fully employed dancer at the mo, which is quite miraculous. http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/its_all_over_sob.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/its_all_over_sob.php Mon, 30 Jun 2003 12:53:34 +0000 Bad cat, forgetting to blog. When I leave it so long I can't remember what's news and what isn't. We are now in the week of our final show- tech today, dress tomorrow, then performances thurs, fri, and sat. Am scared. Have quite a good feeling about it though. Recently we had a mock audition with a dancer called Errol and some people from Dance Scotland. This was very revealing! I found the class was quite awkward to pick up, so I didn't feel as though I moved as well as I could, was too preoccupied with the steps. We learnt a v.v.v long sequence for rep after the class which was also quite difficult and not really how I enjoy moving but I did ok and made it my own. The audition finished with myself and Zoei ( one of my close friends- how awkward!) battling it out for the hypothetical job. We actually didn't realise this was why we were being asked to perform the sequence as a trio with Errol, I thought maybe everyone would be asked to do the same! It is really weird 'competing' for things with friends, especially when it is a job, might as well be fighting over a man! Needless to say my very personal interpretation of the sequence didn't get me the job! I manage to take this as compliment because they said they liked it and loads of other lovely, buvvely positive things about my dancing which had me turn a bit red and start mumbling ( i don't 'do' compliments very easily!). I felt very encouraged and it was a good experience to be going back to the big smoke with. That probably is news actually! Yes, have decided to give London another go. We finish term next Friday and I am returning to my long suffering, patient boyf who has stayed with me during all this year away. Am performing in a piece in Highgate on the 14th and 15th of July- a two week project, but otherwise I don't have any real plans- remain focused and take some cat time probably to figure out when I want to become a real grown-up with responsibilities and strange, boring things like that. Oh, and I think I am going to apply to do 'Resolution!' this year @The Place (love these:@!) So finally to the infamous show I still haven't told you about........ The programme is as follows: A piece called 'dirtier' by Tommy Small (am not in this). Then my own piece- chuffed! called 'something white this way comes......' (don't ask!!). The foundation students, and then the first years. Then the second half: 'Point of departure' our third year piece by Pete Royston. The second years, then 'I can can can' by Tommy again for us third years. Am very excited about my piece being shown again, was all touch and go earlier last week though when half of the duet twisted her ankle- was all ready to learn it myself but very scared to do so. Even though it is my movement there is a lot of contact work which they have perfected between them for weeks which would be a bugger to learn! no problemo tho, she is going to be fine. Finally everything is coming together for Pete's piece which involves quite a lot of props and film so has been difficult to visualise until now we are actually on stage. As for Tommy's, wonder if anyone knows what I mean about a piece you perform that is so energetic it makes you feel sick! Apart from that I luuurvvve it- the movement is very quirky and cutesy. The only thing that is really worrying me about the show is in fact the finale. Rumour has it we have to improvise for eight counts to 'superstitious' (good ole Stevie W). Really am scared about this- have been waking up in the middle of the night in cold sweats don't know what I am going to do!!!! http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/bad_cat.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/bad_cat.php Tue, 03 Jun 2003 12:52:44 +0000 Has been a very busy week, but then it's always busy here. Have been feeling it more though at the moment, this is probably because I have been working til 5 in the morning at least three times a week, and my body clock has ceased functioning! Think it went on it's strike 'cos it was confused, am going to have a talk with it later and try to explain a few things- namely that I need to be getting to sleep by 11pm during the week not starting to wake at this time, eyes ablaze, studying the ceiling, and preferably by 8am waking up bright eyed and bushyed... whatever, ready to face the world that is Sheena's Ballet class and very sore feet! We have started rehearsing our new production, and I have to rehearse my duet (my choreography from the previous show I still haven't talked about!). Pete is making us a piece and it is v.v.v emotional! Is important to prepare myself for these rehersals and get SERIOUS! Now I have the chance to do my own piece again it is very tempting to 'improve' loads of it, basically change a lot of it! Will not be very popular however with my dancers if I make these changes too drastic so am going to be very careful! http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/a_busy_week.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/a_busy_week.php Tue, 06 May 2003 12:50:59 +0000 Hey! Caterina is back with avengence. Was feeling very melancholy at the end of the last term, but have had a break from school, Scotland, work, and dancing and let my hair down. I went back to London to visit my old dear friends from uni who I must say are a very bad influence on me, feel totally partied out- very unhealthy with a v. different body clock, but it's all good, am happy! We have a residency with a guy called Tommy and his company for this week, and I think he is making a piece for us which will be for the end of year show. (Have realised I have not even talked about the show we just finished!). Why is it soooooo hard even to stand up on two feet after two weeks off!? Found myself looking at him in amazement/shock/puzzlement/bewilder........ when he showed us exercises, my brain hurts. Was all very strange dancing again, but felt good, good, good! I wasn't actually completely idle for the two weeks! Woke up once feeling very lazy and got Allan out of bed to do a psycho workout in our living room. This actually involved me turning into a drill instructor and becoming his personal trainer- well! he brings out the maternal bossiness in me! I worked hard too, and became this monster because he kept giving up! Also went swimming which was delicious (I know that sounds strange but I lurrrve being in water (am a piscean you know!)) I did lots of lengths without even noticing! Am sure a v. strange man was following me though, up and down, up and down the pool there he was i'd stop, he'd stop and stare! What's the matter with these people!? Have given up drinking for a while- am too late for lent apparently. WATCH THIS SPACE! Can I go out to a club and have a good time without having a drink..........................................?! http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/back_with_a_vengance.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/back_with_a_vengance.php Mon, 21 Apr 2003 12:48:24 +0000 Feel very humble at the moment. Humble and a bit selfish. It is quite incredible to me that people my age and younger are ready to die for this country's freedom. Meanwhile I make dance pieces which are pretty much all about......me. I've been thinking a lot about how self-absorbed artists are, have to be. As artists, we have cocooned ourselves into another world completely detatched from the rest of the world's reality. I don't think we are wrong, I think we are somehow necessary for it all to work. I feel very priveliged to be able to get up every day and just dance. http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/humble.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/humble.php Mon, 31 Mar 2003 12:47:45 +0000 What a really average week. This would be a perfect time to give you an overview of a recent, really average day, but that would be a very average thing to do so I think I'll leave that for another time.............I hope everyone feels like this sometimes, just not entirely content in their own skin, but not wanting particularly to be anyone else! Time is ticking, and the end of term is near so I am probably just a bit anxious about what the hell I am going to do after this course. My general plan is to leave the N.V U.K (not very united kingdom) and head for a less pretentious dance scene abroad. I think I literally need a burst of sun to shower me with some heat / positivity / creativity / and UV rays. Even though I was born in the N.V.U.K I still think it just might be possible I am suffering from that syndrome people get when they need the sun- Scotland is soooooooo GREY! It is my brthday on Sunday. Will be 22- getting on a bit! This is my first birthday up in the Greyness and although I will be sad not to see all my friends in London (especially you zobo-london live laydeeee!), I have arranged a night on the razzle so I won't be alone! Choreog' is going well, have volunteered to do an extra piece now, so am v.v.busy. Will be attending Allan's site specific performance on Saturday- the rehearsals for these have been causing a bit of disturbance, there seem to be dancers on every surface of The Space at the moment! Think Allan is off to a concert tonight........Sexy, everything about you.............. http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/an_average_week.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/an_average_week.php Fri, 14 Mar 2003 12:46:50 +0000 With the show over, all is pretty much back to normal at school (so american!), I have been working on my choreography every day, my mum returned home on her all night coach- that's dedication bless her! oh and I did lose my job, but I got another one straight away as a bar maid. I am much happier with this situation, although it means working 10-4am most of the weekend. I seem to suit bar work, because I think it is not so serious, I relate to drunk people quite well (I can empathise you see), and if I drop something or get their drink wrong the consequences aren't that grave, do either of these things with somebody's meal and you've had it mate! (I'd like to point out I did neither of these thing at The Italiano Restauranto!) Am conscious that I don't speak about dancing much in this diary, so am gearing myself up for a pure day in the life of an SSCD student............that will have to start next week though. http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/the_shows_over.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/the_shows_over.php Fri, 07 Mar 2003 12:46:21 +0000 Is v. weird reading my blog a week later, have decided I don't like it very much! My mum arrived last thursday and she is staying a week or so, is nice being looked after a bit! aaaaah! At the moment I have cold, but it is not a very serious one yet, I'm at that snuffly cute voiced stage where people feel sorry for you but you actually don't feel bad at all, still will obviously take advantage of the endless hot water bottles and drinks I will be offered! We performed at the Rep thurs, fri, sat of last week. It went really, really well and was very exciting etc. Haven't felt nerves like that in years. It made me wonder whether it is all worth it! Sounds awful I know, but before I perform I am so absolutely petrified that my legs shake. Once I have got through the initial movements I am fine, but I don't know whether I could say that I ever 'enjoy' it. I love performing in the studio informally for friends and teachers, but being in such a big, and to us important dance venue was slightly overwhelming. Scottish Dance Theatre made us feel so welcome though and so did all the crew etc. and we had a bit of a party with free vino afterwards. SDT's two pieces were incredible- they never cease to amaze! They are all such strong dancers, and the movement was so dynamic, it was really all very impressive. Unfotunately on thursday's performance one of their dancers sprained her ankle during the piece, so it had to be re-worked on friday before the performance. Everything worked out in the end, and there were no other injuries. Have started a new job in an Italian restaurant in Dundee. Am the W.W waitress (world's worst), however they don't seem to have noticed this yet. Just can't seem to carry plates very well, which is a slight disadvantage. Hope I don't get the sack, not just because I am totally skint (I read by candlelight last night-no money for electricity!), but also because they are soooo loovely and italiano, and they call me caterina! Though it is quite disconcerting in the kitchen sometimes, because they obviously all speak italian to each other, I have developed a very convincing nod and smile to any questions or comments aimed at me, this sometimes leads to laughter but I just smile more. Think I will secretly learn Italian, and then only nod when necessary- that'll show 'em! http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/weird_blogs.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/weird_blogs.php Mon, 24 Feb 2003 12:42:45 +0000 Have been bad, bad, bad at forgetting my diary. I apologise profusely! (love that word). Again lots seems to have happened, but this is perhaps due to the lengthy intervals between entries. I have been busy collaborating (stalking a film student shamelessly for advice). On sunday Bonnie (my dancer) and I got up with a dirty hangover and walked to her beach (yes, it's her beach!). I was wrapped up warm in 2 coats, hat, mittens, and wellies (felt v. horse and hounds), Bonnie however was bare foot and freezing.Felt like a meany but it was all in the name of art! She looked very pale, like a ghost, I knew this was because her head was screaming and she wanted to be anywhere but on the snowy beach, however, this came out very well on film, she looked ethereal. It was fantastico seeing the sea in such a beautiful light and so unusual to have snow on the beach, was very happy and peaceful for a moment!I released her eventually and we sat and thawed out by the fire and watched the footage. Last week was spent editing all afternoon, some of the process was a bit tedious but it was so exciting when we got to play with the 'effects' like colour and putting musique on it and cross fades and zooms and additive dissolves! (I didn't actually ever try that one cos it sounds v. scary!). Then, hey presto, bien sur, inevitably, the computer crashed! What did I write about computers and me before? (answers on a postcard please). Anyhow my work wasn't lost so I was not the end of the world, it just felt like it for that afternoon! Now my film is complete and I think I am quite happy with it, problem is I'm not desperate to show bonnie cos the stuff in the sea-I didn't use most of it! She's going to murder me. Och well! http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/forgetting_to_blog.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/forgetting_to_blog.php Sun, 23 Feb 2003 12:43:50 +0000 What have I been up to? Much the same, class every day and rehearsals for our new choreography pieces in the afternoons. Am quite pleased with mine at the moment (it won't last). I asked two very strong dancers to be in my piece this time, and am determined it is going to be emotionless (is that a word? it is from this day forth anyway!) as possible. Have always wanted to make a piece with 'movement for movements sake' (ya ya ya!), and not get bogged down in the absolutely, inevitable relationships which seem to emerge between my dancers. Isn't it odd that when we watch a piece of dance we naturally assume love and sexual goings on when a man and a woman interact closely on stage, no matter how innocent the movement- it is absolutely ingrained in us as humans. I hope this is not just me being an unsophisticated audience member? This inference can make a choreographer's job very difficult if they want to make a piece without narrative. An obvious solution to this (or so I thought in my first year of uni) is to use two same sex dancers. Unfortunately my two beautiful female dancers, doing my very innocent feline, tactile movement was interpreted as two gay laddeeeeys getting it on! ( needless to say the audience was predominantly male). The 'obvious solution' made the piece even more sexual, and I was very confused! I can honestly say I had no idea in rehearsal the movement was developing in such a way. Looking back I don't mind it being recieved as it was, because you see it was all in the audiences mind not mine! Will write more soon, cos am late for rehearsal! We are performing a piece I love at the rep (theatre in Dundee) this weekend, and my maman is coming to visit-yey! Will reveal all next week. http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/what_ive_been_upto.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/what_ive_been_upto.php Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:41:35 +0000 Lots seems to have happened since I last wrote. Angus left us which was very sad! We performed the piece he had made for us and then said farewell, he seemed pleased with us and the effort we had put into the 2 weeks. Am going to keep practising the first four puzzles of contact improvisation he gave us (they were made up by the mighty Steve Paxman! founder of contact impro'). I found these are quite difficult to master, and my shoulders were black with bruising for the first week of trying! I bruise like a peach though. Also, mental note to self! continue trying to hand-stand! Last monday we got back to regular two classes in the morning and dum, dum, dum! Collaboration project in the afternoons. We have a new Graham teacher who has come up to teach us from sunny England (the weather is filthy here at the moment!). So we had to take the 'easy' bodies we had created with Angus straight into hardcore Graham! Nice! These techniques are soooooo incredibly different it makes me wonder whether one is right and the other wrong! How would Martha and Skinner have justified their techniques to each other had they, or when they met. (My dance history is not very complete! Were the releasers around in Martha's time?). Ever the diplomat, I think it is imporatant to train in both! Anyway, Graham it has been for two weeks, the teach is very dynamic and keen to mould us into perfect contracters! Collaboration is under way. I feel like a movie director with my camcorder and tripod going on location. This weekend I am filming some of my movement on a beach. I pity my dancers though 'cos it's snowing at the moment and larking about on the beach with only one layer is very, very, very brave! Still they are keen, and we might even be able to borrow a friend's horse for the day, for some atmospheric moments in the freezing sea. Editing on monday and tuesday all afternoon, which should be interesting! Am trying to lure a film student down with me. If not have had great advice so should be fine!? I am quite nervous. http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/goodbye_angus.php http://www.article19.co.uk/06/catherinebell/goodbye_angus.php Thu, 30 Jan 2003 12:40:29 +0000