WESTERN FRONT – Movementarts

Description:

Movementarts was a series of dance classes hosted by Western Front and Vancouver Community College from 1977 to 1982 that explored movement, mime, and contact improvisation. Initially facilitated by Lin Bennett, Jane Ellison, Lola Ryan, and C. Lee, Movementarts continued with various instructors until April 1982.

A black-and-white photo of Lola Ryan carrying Jane Ellison by gripping her around her torso.

A black-and-white photo of Jane Ellison bending backwards with her arms outstretched. She is illuminated by a spotlight that projects her shadow on the back wall of the EDAM studio. She wears a T-shirt, and skirt over athletic pants.

A black-and-white photo of Jane Ellison and Lin Bennett dancing with garbage bags in the EDAM Studio. Jane is captured as a blur in mid motion, while Lin is seen in a backbend.

A black-and-white photo of Lola Ryan and Jane Ellison. They stand facing each other, and have large paper cut-outs evocative of lips and an eye attached to their ears.

Lola Ryan catches Jane Ellison’s legs as she holds a handstand with her back arched. The photo is in black-and-white.

Lola Ryan stands in a forward fold with bent knees, cradling her head in her hands while Jane Ellison lies on the floor with one leg extended towards the ceiling. A child dressed in a long sleeve shirt, shorts, and combat boots stands next to them. The image is a black-and-white photograph.

Lola Ryan lies on her stomach with her chest and legs lifted (as if in Locust pose). Jane Ellison stands behind her with a string tied around her waist that is connected to Lola’s wrist. The first row of the audience can be seen from behind.

A black-and-white photo of Jane Ellison and Lola Ryan circling each other in the EDAM studio. They each wear a paper cutout on their heads evocative of an eye with large lashes and a pair of lips.

Captions:

Lola Ryan and Jane Ellison performing in Movementarts (1977).
Jane Ellison performing in Movementarts (1977).
Jane Ellison and Lin Bennett performing in Movementarts (1977).
Lola Ryan and Jane Ellison performing in Movementarts (1977).
Lola Ryan and Jane Ellison performing in Movementarts (1977).
Lola Ryan and Jane Ellison performing in Movementarts (1977).
Lola Ryan and Jane Ellison performing in Movementarts (1977).
Jane Ellison and Lola Ryan performing in Movementarts (1977).

Western Front is a non-profit artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.