Rhythms are everywhere, they are so apparent we often miss them. We are often so wrapped up in them that they almost disappear. It is often only in dance, in music, and in poetry that we become alert to the rhythms around us. It is not that rhythms only exist in the sphere of the arts, but rather the arts heighten our awareness of them.
In 2020, amidst the pandemic, we created a movement and dance collective that would meet and improvise together. The group was formed of people from a range of different ages, backgrounds and interests coming together through movement. As our meetings progressed, we talked about turning our little gatherings into an elaborate rhythmanalytical investigation. We read the writings of rhythmanalysists like Henri Lefebvre and Gaston Bachelard and thought about ways of exploring their ideas through movement. Our project is a collaboration between dancers, photographers, composers, musicians, filmmakers, essayists and fine artists. Together we began building a colossal project of interrogating rhythms from the heartbeat to modes of production, from customs and conventions to revolutions and crises, our starting point, however, is impromptu dance.
Between 2020 and 2030 we intend to explore the changing rhythms around us and use them to create multimedia happenings. Here is what we have achieved so far:
In the winter of 2020, we began filming and photographing a series of rhythmanalytic investigations into the nature of rhythms. To do this we used our bodies to dance and explore in different locations, with different costumes, with different set-ups. These investigative meetings continue.
In the beginning of 2021 Bradley Tuck wrote and published online the founding introductory essay introducing the project and linking it to rhythmanalysis as an encyclopaedic approach to thinking about rhythm.
In 2023, we turned the essay into a small booklet with accompanying images from our vast collection of photography. To purchase this click here
In June 2023, we produced our first one-off live show. We took over St. Mary’s Church in Kemptown, Brighton, and screened a feature length film accompanied by 10 live dancers, a live violinist and a fine artist drawing the event.
On the 24th and 25th May 2024 we will once again be performing at St. Mary’s Church. To Book Tickets click here.
Rhythmanalysts:
Director, Producer, Writer: Bradley Tuck
Production Assistant: Nuria Castro
Photographers and Cinematographers: Kai Fiain, V. Teo, Lucy LeBrocq
Charcoal drawings: Gemma Cook
Composer: Nick Hudson
Violin: Lizzy Carrey
Performers: Nuria Castro, Marc Muir, Bella Franks, Jia Jimenez, Ines Pissarro, Jojo Denovan, Liv Sangster, Maria Adriana, Emmanuel Foxylion, Lilith Newson, Bradley Tuck, Eloise Pannett.
