12 - 16 October
Image credit Sally Jubb.
Inspired by the novel ‘No Longer Human’ by Japanese author Osamu Dazai, ‘Pictures of Man’ is a project that blends the ideas of absurd narratives, the darker aspects of human connection within the world and the unwillingness to seek help when facing heavily internalised trauma. The project explores how childhood trauma is translated into the adult mind, how the world and its people are viewed through a manufactured cynical lens and how the mind and memories compartmentalise when dealing with the day to day pressures of society and simple human interaction.
Stories always reflect the world, and within a world that puts contribution to society above valuing the health of our minds and bodies, Taine feels this project reflects how such a world can shape a more fragile mind. As human beings, we seek connection to each other. But what happens when the subject loses faith in such connections and holds the world at arms length? What happens when they see everything as a threat? How do their childhood experiences shape the person they grow into and their view of the world? ‘Pictures of Man’ aims to explore these questions.
Wednesday 14 October | 10:30 – 12:00 | Coming Soon
Sharing
Friday 16 October| 15:30 – 16:30 | BOOK NOW
Please note: the work contains themes around suicidal ideation and self harm, and may contain references to sexual assault.
About the Artist
Taine McKinstray is an emerging dance and physical theatre artist based in Fife. Beginning her training at Scottish School of Contemporary Dance, she went on to graduate at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, before completing her Masters Degree as part of the inaugural class of NSCD’s Interdisciplinary Dance Performance Course.
Her artistic practice stems from a deep love of narrative storytelling, and how existing narratives and media can be broken and re-shaped into something that reflects our current society. Her creative enjoyment comes from investigating mythologies, morally complex characters and archetypal images, her research revolving around the human struggles and the finite line of tragedy and comedy within both real life and fiction. Drawn to these stories, her work explores the absurdism, complex questions and emotional conflicts of everyday life. With her artistic practice continuing to evolve, she’s always searching for new ways to shape stories through movement for audiences who love them as much as she does.
Creative collaborators
Rob Heaslip – Research Mentor