What do you imagine a dancer’s body should look like? How does the mind represent parts of the body that are not physically there? Meet performers Catherine Long and Viktoria Modesta to hear their personal stories on challenging  peoples’ perceptions and prejudices about their bodies. Join the conversation with silicone prosthetic technologist Sophie de Oliveira Barata, neuroscientist Eamonn Walsh and dance scientist Emma Redding to discover how our minds perceive the physical realities of the body. 

This event is FREE. 

Book now to receive an e-ticket.

Bookings are limited to two per person. Any additional bookings will be cancelled.

Speakers:

Catherine Long, who has been dancing for 11 years, both as a solo performer and as part of a company. Catherine was artist-in-residence at the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience from 2009 to 2011. Her collaborators included Patrick Haggard, Eamonn Walsh, Frank Bock and Doran George.

Viktoria Modesta, singer/songwriter, fashion muse and performer. Victoria has modelled at London and Milan Fashion Week, and performed as the Snow Queen at the 2012 Summer Paralympics closing ceremony, which was widely recognised as a bold contribution to challenging society's perception of beauty and disabilities. Viktoria was selected as one of the six best unsigned artists in the UK by Evo Music Rooms on Channel Four, and has since been featured in iD, Grazia, The Times and Italian Vogue. 

Eamonn Walsh, neuroscientist. Eamonn is working as a researcher at King’s College London, exploring the effects of hypnosis on the brain. He uses neuroimaging techniques and hypnosis as research tools to investigate free will, hypnosis, movement, dancing and writing.

Sophie de Oliveira Barata, Director of the Alternative Limb Project. Sophie works as a specialist consultant, designing and producing bespoke, realistic prosthetics for amputees. She also collaborates with clients and artists to create uniquely imaginative alternative limbs, incorporating graphics, laser cutting, metalworks, plastics and woodwork.

Emma Redding, Head of Dance Science, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Emma was principal investigator of the research project 'Music and Dance Science: Optimising performing potential' and has managed several investigations into the impact of dance on health and wellbeing. She is a member of the Board of Directors and President of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. 

 

Tickets will be available from Friday 4 January at 11.00 – please come back then to book online.   

This event is part of the series Rhythm is a Dancer, which explores the science behind dance.

Portrait of Catherine Long by Atton Conrad.