Titled Alexis investigates: Dance and visual arts this series of articles offers a 'way in' for dancers to the complex conversation that is happening between dance and visual art. The influence of dance on other art forms has recently been highlighted by a series of major exhibition and events programmes: Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes, 1909 - 1929 has just opened at the V & A, MOVE: Choreographing You is on at the Hayward Gallery and over recent years choreographer Siobhan Davies has orchestrated an ongoing program of events and conversations, including ROTOR -new work and commissions from artists working in other art forms which opens on the 3 November 2010 at Siobhan Davies Studios and The South London Gallery.  Alexis who is Information and Communications Officer at Dance UK is an artist who trained in both art and dance and works across both fields as a maker and manager. 

Alexis says

'Dance is spending more and more time in the territory of the Visual Arts and what is more this started as far back as the 1970’s (some might argue long before that). I am writing this series of articles as a ‘way in’ to this particular area of artistic activity because I believe that dance is a highly influential media and that the knowledge base of its practitioners can bring insight to many other realms. Visual art can often be conceptual and a bit hard to understand but don't let that put you off! Dance is evolving in many different ways and it is key to the growth of dance that we, the dance community, realise more widely the potential in cross-disciplinary relationships.'

The first in the series will be about her recent visit to Siobhan Davies Studios to see rehearsals for ROTOR and she is just off to interview Stephanie Rosenthal, Curator at The Hayward Gallery,  about MOVE: Choreographing You.

Alexis also has a blog www.encounterproject.blogspot.com

• Article one: A visit to Siobhan Davies Dance Company: www.danceuk.org/news/article/alexis-investigates-dance-and-visual-arts-article-one-visit-siobhan-davies-dance-company

• Article two: Coffee with Stephanie Rosenthal curator of MOVE: Choreographing You at the Hayward Gallery: www.danceuk.org/news/article/alexis-investigates-dance-and-visual-arts-article-two-coffee-stephanie-rosenthal-curator-move-choreo

• Article three: Falling in love with another art form, Yvonne Rainer and my divorce from painting: www.danceuk.org/news/article/alexis-investigates-dance-and-visual-arts-article-three-falling-love-another-art-form-yvonne-rainer-   

• Article four: Catching movement, painter Peter Lanyon: www.danceuk.org/news/article/alexis-investigates-dance-and-visual-arts-article-four-catching-movement-painter-peter-lanyon

• Article five: A conversation with Siobhan Davies about dance thinking: www.danceuk.org/news/article/alexis-investigates-article-five-conversation-siobhan-davies-about-dance-thinking