Over co ming HOWARD LYN
Da Da messenger messengers
ancers are the ancers are the rs of the the gods gods s of Martha Graham
DanceAbility DanceAbility of of view from view from the outside outside the
STATEMENT
To maintain a healthy society requires hard work. With, everyone in the ďŹ eld of his activity contributing to the common cause. Consider this as ďŹ guratively like doing puzzles, which allows us to get something essential and necessary ultimately. Additionally, this inspires us towards heroic deeds and even onto more important things. My project "Overcoming" tells about people who, in their own experience, saw strength and beauty in unity through dancing together. My initial introduction to the team was being a sponsor of the Inaugural event introducing the "Inclusive Movement" of the DanceAbility organization in Azerbaijan in 2017. After meeting and discussions, I was inspired by the philosophy that they adopted and their aim at
O e v r Overco co mi n g ming
developing an inclusive society through master classes, seminars and dance performances—embracing workshops based on the DanceAbility method, which was founded by Alito Alessi and Karen Nelson in USA, 1987. DanceAbility is a dance method that is accessible to all people. Classes focus on improvisation and creative movement designed to be inclusive to everyone who wants to partake. As dancers gain experience, they can have the opportunity to move into choreography that celebrates individuality and relationships. The DanceAbility Method connects people, with abilities and disabilities. Focusing on the ability of the group and paying attention to what they share in common. This, in turn, ensures that all present can always participate, with no isolation; a supportive atmosphere, for the group to experience the beauty and joy of communicating through movement in a diverse group.
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“Mixed–abilities dance refers to dance troupes, classes or companies that join together people with and without disabilities. "There is consensus in the dance world of working toward the goal of putting people first and moving away from labels like handicapped, crippled, impaired, disabled, and the like.”, (Alessi and Nelson, 2020)
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Like all "DanceAbility" organizations around the world. "DanceAbility Azerbaijan" Inclusive Dance Company. Brings together ALL people of various ages, professional and life backgrounds, providing support to create and develop essential skills such as self-expression, selfconďŹ dence, creativity, communication skills and empathy. As a result of these classes, participants succeed in building new friendships and applying the experience and skills acquired during the project in their everyday lives. Over the past three years the organization's activities has developed in Azerbaijan, from the "inclusive movement" which has developed and grown. In a slightly new direction, creating the performance group with in "The Art of Being Together" project, 2019. The group consists of a mixed group of 11 people including professional dancers, amateurs and people with disabilities. Some of the members of this group became the stars and heroes of my project. As a team directed by the in-house Choreographer, the whole group regularly gathers to practice and working on the building new performances. Which they love to share during the street or stage performances. I was not only interested dance activities, but also, wanted to understand more about their lives oďŹ&#x20AC;-stage. Making acquaintances with them individually, in their family circles and not in formal settings helped me get create a link to their lives outside DanceAbility. into the unknown.
With the onset of Covid-19 meant that the activities the group had to change their format. But the strong connection that has formed between the team was strong and all wanted it to continue. So faced with a pandemic, a period the no one in this generation are unaccustomed or prepared for. A forced period of change, a journey into the unknown. The participants of DanceAbility have been practicing improvisation for some time, so with their newfound skills, helps them to contact with a changeable, not constant and always new situations. Allowing them to develop intuition and abilities to read time and space, adapting, accepting and most importantly creating no matter what the obstacles. After talking with the founder of the DanceAbility Azerbaijan company Nigar Sultanova and choreographer Nigar Ibrahimbayli. To the happiness of the group, it was decided to resume classes and ďŹ nish our project online. My project consists of three parts, before and after the pandemic. It starts with the photos that were taken before pandemic and continuing with the practice classes online and a ďŹ nal joint performance lead by Nigar Sultanova. The outcome book will begin with the initial photos of when I was invited to homes and favorite places of the chosen members of DanceAbility Azerbaijan. The second and third part of the project consisting of training classes and a ďŹ nal group dance. To my delight I was able to experience, feel and capture the outcome of the moments of their connections, improvisations even though physically they were not together there seemed to be a spiritual connection. The members of the group who have become really close to each other, have overcome all obstacles together, sharing kindness and looking for inspiration from everything that surrounds them.
© Adil Yusif
Nasib Shamkhalov
Nasib is 20 years old, lives with his mother, loves dancing and painting. At the moment he is learning English language. It is almost two years he participated at DanceAbility classes and he became a professional dancer in DanceAbility performance group. Two years ago he joined DanceAbility class with his mother. He loved it a lot and he gained new friends there. His communication skills improved and quality living increased.
Ulviyya Garayeva & Ismayil Musayev Ulviyya and Ismayil are sister with brother. Ismayil is 13 and his sister Ulviyya is 20 years old. The both are studding at school. Ismail loves acting like animal, loves boxing, acting, dancing and he wants to be an astronaut and vet. Ulviyya is very kind one, she is very responsive. She loves Indian dance for a long time, she is watching Indian dance videos and learning these dance by herself. She would like to be a dancer or an actress. The both of them joined DanceAbility Open Classes in 2019 and then because of their talents and their interest into dance they were invited to the DanceAbility performance group. Â
Kamran Zeynalli
Kamran is living with his family in Sumgait city, Azerbaijan. He is 27 years old. He loves sport, art and traveling. He joined DanceAbility in 2019, and at the moment he is in the professional performing group. For participation in dance classes he uses diďŹ&#x20AC;erent transportations and spend a lot of time in the road. Also he is an athlete at Azerbaijani National Paralympic Committee.
© Adil Yusif
The project is brought to life with the support: “Rapid Solutions” Company Embassy of Switzerland in Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev Foundation YARAT Contemporary Art Space and collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan Republic
Due to the dangers associated with COVID-19, all classes continues to reach out to temporarily online.
The participants and performers decided to capture themselves, as a memento of one of the many successful ďŹ ghts to overcome the hardships of Covid-19, leaving lasting physical memories and some unforgettable moments. They were locked down and isolated, but not alone as they had DanceAbility.
Physically far away from each other but mentally and spiritually feeling close and united through dance. Howard Lyn, Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge School of Art) 2nd Year Photography Student.
PROJECT by HOWARD LYN
THANKS to Nigar Sultanova, Sanan Aleskerov, Javid Aslanov, Elvina Aliyeva, Ismayil Musayev, Kamran Hasanov, Nigar Ibrahimbayli, Nazrin Mustafayeva, Nasib Shamkhalov, Rahim Rzayev, Sarkhan Akhundov, Ulviyya Garayeva, Zarifa Babayeva, Kamran Zeynalli, Gandaf Akbarli
Baku-2020
...to be continued
Dancing Dancing favo favo
is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orite metaphor metaphor orite Kristy Nilsson
HOWARD LYN PROJECT 2020