Makers Diary: About VEX

This is the work i have done for groundworks about the company. I will also be able to use some of it for the programme...marketing etc.

Vertical Exchange Performance Group
Devising as a way of life

The Company
Vertical Exchange was founded by Joanna Bucknall BA MA and Nigel Tuttle in 2005. Joanna is the Performance Artistic Director of the performance group; she has a background in theatre performance and drama and is responsible for the performative aspects of the company. Nigel is the Media Artistic Director; he has a background in video production and is responsible for the video and media aspects of the company. Joanna and Nigel collaborate to produce a range of different projects, from installations to devised theatre works. Joanna and Nigel are the only permanent members of VEX and they work with a range of performers, artists and creative practitioners for each project that they undertake.

Some of the Usual Suspects

Joe Harris is a frequent collaborator and has been involved with sound production and design for several VEX projects. He has a background in video and music production and is currently studying an undergraduate degree at Anglian Ruskin University.

Lorraine Bucknall is a frequent collaborator and has been involved with costume design and production for all of the VEX projects to date. Lorraine has a background as a seamstress and make-up artist but she also has extensive experience and qualifications in various craft disciplines.

Artistic Policy
We make work that aims to explore the contemporary experience and all the intricate moments that our lives present. Our aim is to create art works that are challenging and engaging, that manifest as cultural interventions and ask poignant questions about our lives and existence. We are committed to exercising difficult questions through art in provocative ways, pushing the boundaries of performance both aesthetically and culturally.

VEX is committed to a collaborative practice in both the way we make the work and the ways in which the work is encountered by the audience. Our aim is to produce performance work that involves its audiences at a fundamental level. By employing experimental and compelling performance devices we hope to offer the audience a truly participatory experience. Our works seek to explode the liminal space and offer our audiences the role of creative participant.
Our working practice is collaborative and we like to involve practitioners from a plethora of other fields and disciplines. This, we believe, gives us the freedom to follow lots of performative forms and ensures that new and fresh ideas are always being brought to the creative table.

Past Projects

THEATRE

Attempts on Her Life
VEX collaborated with Whizz Kids Theatre Academy to mount a production of Attempts on Her Life by Martin Crimp, for the Welwyn Garden City Youth Drama Festival 2004. It was performed at the Barn Theatre on 19/5/04. We were placed third in the competition.

Benches
Was written and directed by Joanna Bucknall and mounted as a live event in collaboration with Whizz Kids Theatre Academy & Jonathan Harris. It was performed as part of the Urban Tales Festival in 2004. It ran over 3 nights at the Balcony Theatre, Cambridge from the 6/12/04-8/12/04.

The Woman Who Swallowed the Moon
Was a devised, task and text driven piece of experimental theatre developed and directed by Joanna Bucknall in conjunction with the Whizz Kids Theatre Academy for the for the Welwyn Garden City Youth Drama Festival 2005. It was performed at the Barn Theatre on 17/5/05. The judge refused to consider our submission, as she asserted that it was not theatre; even though we had abided by all of the rules and regulations that inform the festival. Hence, we were not placed. It was later performed at the Balcony Theatre on the 19/5/05.

With You in Mind
Was VEX'S first independent theatre project. It was a site specific performance installation based around tasks and games. It was devised by Caila Carr, Harriet Keevil, Mark Finbow and Vicky Trower. The concept and direction was designed by Joanna Bucknall and the sound production was designed and recorded by Nigel Tuttle. Texts were written by Joanna and Nigel. It was performed at the Barbican, Plymouth as part of their THEATRE2DO Festival on 15/07/05 in the toilets of the theatre.

FILM
To Some Bodies Whoever
Was written by Joanna, shot, directed and edited by Nigel in 2005. It is an experimental short film that takes inspiration from film noir and the dogmatic mode of film-making.
Bargain
Is currently in the pre-production stages and is scheduled to be shot late June 07.