BNMI Current Co-production Programs

Artists: Evann Siebens and Keith H Doyle (Canada/United States)
Project Title: IMPROV

Dates: March 5 – 31, 2006

IMPROV is a dance-based media work installation by dance filmmaker Evann Siebens and sculptor Keith H Doyle. Shot on 16mm film with dancers/choreographers from the former Ballet Frankfurt (Cora Bos-Kroese, Kevin Cregan, Ayman Harper, Amy Raymond, Natalie Thomas and Mario Zambrano), IMPROV explores the possibilities of using Forsythe's improvisational techniques to shoot dance. Mediating the space between the camera-person and the dancer, a unique pas de deux is created between technology and human movement, while a second camera reveals their silent conversation. Entering a site-specific environment, viewers will experience the feeling of an improvisational danced studio jam between dancer and camera through manipulation of the imagery and wearable techniques. Developed in conjunction with Dance Theatre Workshop's Artist Media Lab Fellowship in New York, the piece will be completed during the residency at the Banff Centre’s Banff New Media Institute.

Evann Siebens specializes in making films about dance. Her documentaries and short dance films have been shown on PBS, in Europe, and at dance film festivals around the world. A former dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and the Bonn Ballet in Germany, Evann graduated from New York University and presently is the director of seven films. Based in New York, she is originally from Calgary and happy to be back in her native Alberta.

Keith H Doyle is a sculptor and designer based in New York City. Currently he is the assistant chair for operations and faculty in product design at Parsons School of Design. Trained as a sculptor, he has worked assisting in building large-scale public sculptures in the Midwest, held one person exhibitions of work, participated in many group shows of art, and has attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art, receiving an MFA in sculpture in 2000.