Freeze

In Freeze, a dancer takes to the snow with sheets of fabric in hand. Her movements, sometimes gracious, sometimes violent, bring the cloth to life for the camera. Through post-production editing techniques, the sheets of coloured cloth are stiffened in mid-air. As the dancer invigorates the prop, more patterns adhere to the video. Together, they form an abstract video artwork reminiscent of a painter working on canvas.

Taking advantage of the detail captured in high-definition format, Freeze reconstructs temporality through the intricacies of fluttering fabric. In order to harmonize each shot with the next as well as with the still cloth pieces, it was necessary to tediously adjust exposure and avoid colour bleeding during the cut-out process. It was important for us to convey a sense of imagination in a whimsical setting. Remembering a toy music box, this dancer is awakened by the wind around her. She agitates the coloured fabric as if performing with a partner, while alone amongst the snowy backdrop.

A light and mysterious theme, composed by Paulo Lourenço, accompanies the performance. Reverberating in the empty space, this audio sets the pace and adds an intriguing flair. Its delicate strikes help shape the memory of a music box in the mind of the viewer. Hushed wisps allow the audience to perceive an invisible force present in the work. Wind carries the fabric in the air and is emphasized in this audio track.