2023 CROWD Nottingham Residency

In 2023, we hosted CROWD residencies on our Nottingham and Birmingham sites. Bakani Pick-Up (UK) and Shaquille George (NL) were in residence with us in Nottingham.

Another 10 artists came together in pairs for two 2-week residencies hosted by the partners for the third year of the CROWD – international dance exchange residency programme.

Bakani Pick-Up and Shaquille George’s residency brought the artists together in a first meeting, sharing their practice with each other supported by Nottingham based facilitator, Usha Mahenthiralingam. Following their Nottingham residency, Bakani and Shaquille spent two weeks in residence together at Dansateliers in Rotterdam.

The Birmingham CROWD artists and their facilitator visited Nottingham towards the end of their residencies to extend dialogue on community practice.

You can explore all the residencies further on the crowd.dance blog. Here, our artists, facilitators and partners share insights into their work, their artistic practice, and the time they spent together.

Artist Reflections

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We’ve been exploring the inclusive nature in which care can be considered within our communities and how the complexities of heritage and history allow us to be able to reorientate ourselves through space together.

Bakani Pick-Up

Shaq George and Bakani Pick-Up sat close together on chairs in a dance studio. Shaq is listening intently and Bakani is speaking, using his hands out in front to emphasise his point. There are scraps of paper, pens, and balls scattered around the floor.

This text written on a semi-transparent blue background laid over image of charcoal lines on paper: "We've been [...] figuring out what our practice really is, to simplify it in a sense, so that we could make it more inclusive for everybody". Bakani.

Bakani Pick-Up taking time to reflect alone inside a garden structure made of timber with colourful fabric and pink triangular bunting hung in the background.

Free flowing black charcoal lines on light brown paper of different thicknesses and intensity of colour.

This text written on a semi-transparent blue background laid over image of charcoal lines on paper: "Dive a little bit deeper into movement... to connect with one another". Shaq.

Shaq George sat at a garden bench under a tree with colourful triangular bunting hanging from it. Shaq is writing on paper.

Bakani Pick-Up sat crossed legged on a grey yoga mat observing a large collection of charcoal drawings and marks on a long piece of brown paper. The paper is the width of an average arm span and places on the floor.

This text written on a semi-transparent blue background laid over image of charcoal lines on paper: "something that was given to us by our facilitator Usha: the importance of working with choice and the freedom and safety that that gives to communities". Bakani.

Shaq George being massaged in the centre of his chest by a half inflated medium sized ball held by Jessica Ashley. The ball is red and so is her Jessica's polish. Both figures are in bright sunlight in a dance studio.

Bakani and Shaq wearing comfortable light clothing making energetic shapes while standing next to a bonfire at dusk. There is a blue garden building in the background surrounded by foliage.

This text written on a semi-transparent blue background laid over image of charcoal lines on paper: "I've learned….that I need to introduce this option of choice. How will I change that? How will I go about this approach?" Shaq.

Shaq George in a squat on the floor, using tape to fix crumpled white paper with line drawings and marks to a light wooden floor in an exercise looking into movement scores for improvisation.

For a lot of Queer people of colour, ideas around choice, and the sense of choice is important in being able to participate and feel a sense of liberation. And so, I am considering how my practice might take this more into the forefront of its consideration, in order to provide a safer, more creative space.

Bakani Pick-Up