‘I love the polyphonic, almost mathematical nature of Bach, and I think that’s what really drew me to the sound. I think of the music as a puzzle and try to interpret that physically in SKETCHES,’ says Katie Armstrong of her new show. The choreographer grew up surrounded by music, but dance is something she came to much later in her childhood. ‘I really loved how the two art forms are so interlinked.’

^{Picture: Eoin Carey}

Armstrong created SKETCHES as a work for four dancers, to be performed alongside DJ, abstract turntablist and composer Mariam Rezaei and a string quintet. The series of three vignettes was first seen at Manipulate Festival and will tour Scotland during May and June. ‘I actually started making SKETCHES years ago without realising what I was doing and where it would eventually go,’ she says. ‘I was really interested in creating intricate and physically dense movement on two bodies and exploring how we could create illusions for the viewer.’

Armstrong began collaborating on SKETCHES with Rezaei after meeting her in Newcastle, where Rezaei lectures in music technology and composition, and is also artistic director of Tusk North experimental music festival. ‘We started thinking about the idea of merging the classical nature of Bach with an unusual electronic twist. Mariam and I ended up exploring how we could create an audible and visual “fourth movement” to Bach’s “Violin Concerto In A Minor” which would intertwine between the existing movements.’

^{Picture: Puppet Animation Scotland}

The pair have since collaborated on another production called GLISK, a work for two dancers, experimental turntablism, acoustic piano and visual art. Meanwhile, SKETCHES will be presented alongside the SKETCHES Film Project, capturing excerpts from the live show on film at iconic local landmarks. ‘It’s been a joy to create, and to work with Mariam, the string quintet and dancers,’ says Armstrong. ‘It’s quirky, bold and exciting, and I am so thrilled to finally be touring this work to audiences across Scotland.’

Katie Armstrong SKETCHES is on tour from Thursday 18 May–Friday 30 June.