whip is a 60-minute duet performed entirely in leather hoods, leaving performers blind for the duration of the performance. Inspired by the virtuosic head-whip motion found in a multitude of dance forms, the duality of the leather being both soft/hard are revealed through the work. Bodies explore images of consent through a range of physical touch, with the support of interactive new media light and originally composed sound design.
Advisory: Partial Nudity
Duration: 60 minutes
FakeKnot is the umbrella entity for collaborative performance works that play with the complexities of identity and culture through costume, sound, technology, and movement. FakeKnot is grounded in street, commercial, and contemporary dance techniques that honours the queer, POC, Philippine diasporic identity of Artistic Director, Ralph Escamillan. Collaboration as a practice of knowledge co-creation is essential for FakeKnot in the ways it can generatively bring differences together. The company is a non-profit and registered charity, and gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council, and the City of Vancouver.
Artistic Direction/Choreography: Ralph Escamillan (FakeKnot)
Dancers: Daria Mikhaylyuk, Ralph Escamillan
Leather Hoods: Five Left Leather (Lincoln Heller)
Costumes: Robyn J. Laxamana
Sound: Stefan Nazarevich
Lighting Designer: Andie Lloyd
Lighting Operator: Gabriel Raminhos
Motion Tracking System & New Media Design: Sammy Chien (Chimerik 似不像)
Lighting Design Mentor: Jonathan Kim (Chimerik 似不像)
Dramaturge: Su-Feh Lee and Josh Martin
Fabric Sponsor: Lululemon
