A collaboration between National Dance Company Wales and Literature Wales will see independent dance artists and poets joining NDCWales’ dancers as part of an online collaborative project, Plethu/Weave, to create eight short cross–art-form films. The first two films will première as part of the National Eisteddfod’s Online Digital Festival in August.
Following a call out last month, NDCWales has appointed four independent artists—Jodi Ann Nicholson, Jo Shapland, Shakeera Ahmun and Joe Powell-Main—to work alongside four NDCWales dancers—Ed Myhill, Aisha Naamani, Faye Tan and Tim Volleman—and the eight poets: Connor Allen, Marvin Thompson, Hanan Issa, Clare E Potter, Aneirin Karadog, Elan Grug Muse, National Poet of Wales Ifor Ap Glyn and Mererid Hopwood.
Hirddydd by Mererid Hopwood and Tim Volleman will première on Monday 3 August 1PM and Ust by Ifor Ap Glyn and Faye Tan on Friday 7 August 1:30PM on the National Eisteddfod’s web site and social media channels then be available on NDCWales' and Literature Wales’ social media channels 4–8 August.
NDCWales Associate Director Lee Johnston said, “the four artists joining Plethu/Weave enrich the breadth of artistic contribution through practices that incorporate styles such as hip hop, Butoh, ballet and ballroom, and an enhanced application of what choreography is, involving objects, textiles and embroidery.”
Betsan Moses, Chief Executive at the National Eisteddfod, said, “we are delighted to work with National Dance Company Wales again. Dance is an integral part of the Eisteddfod and we are pleased to provide a platform for this première as part of this year’s ‘alternative’ festival. Mererid and Ifor are both, of course, former major winners at the Eisteddfod, and we have worked closely with Literature Wales for many years on a wide range of projects. I very much hope to see our work with NDCWales further develop in the future.”
Following the online première at the Eisteddfod, the six other short films from Plethu/Weave will be shown every fortnight online as part of KiN:Connected, NDCWales’ digital programme.