The FORGE: Exploring the Man
Edenamiuki Aiguobasinmwin kicks off Ludus Dance’s first FORGE artist commission.
About The FORGE…
Ludus Dance recently launched The FORGE, a brand new initiative responding to a need to nurture diverse artistic voices within cultural spaces and programmes across the North West, and particularly Lancashire. Last year, the organisation put out a call for applications for a commission from established and emerging makers that could bring something unique and challenge perspectives on diverse practices.
Edenamiuki Aiguobasinmwin – known as Namiuki – has been selected as the first recipient of The FORGE artist commission. He receives a budget up to £5k and dedicated support from Ludus Dance’s CEO & Artistic Director Anthony Briggs to grow, test ideas, challenge notions and develop partnerships within the creative sector.
About Namiuki …
Namiuki is a creative practitioner and social entrepreneur who focuses on how urban movement is presented and used within the creative industries. As a choreographer and dancer, he develops work experimenting with his strong breaking (break dance) and hip-hop foundation and applying this vocabulary of movement in a way that would be rarely represented in a hip-hop battle or cypher. Experimental breaking is key for Namiuki in generating new knowledge and helping to address the socio-political issues he feels are important. Working with companies such as Stand and Be Counted Theatre, Third Angel, and Spoken Movement, he has explored the topics of refugee migration and race.
What’s next…
Namiuki says: “Thanks to The FORGE, I will now be working to develop a site-responsive solo performance which explores the contradictory social cues for older boys and young men and opens conversations with audiences around masculinity, culture and heritage.”
Ludus Dance’s CEO & Artistic Director Anthony Briggs added: “with expertise, space, time and cash, we are extremely excited to be able to support Namiuki at this critical stage in his professional and artistic journey. As an organisation with a strong background in inclusive practice and with much of our work reaching those at risk, in need, and from minority groups, we recognise that there is still a lot more we can and should be doing to support artists, participants and audiences from BAMER communities and people of colour (POC). We’re looking forward to working with Namiuki and, over the next year, we will be supporting local artists, makers and community practitioners to develop original ideas that will bring new audiences into our cultural spaces.”
