Match Make is a new Maiden Voyage commissioning initiative that brings dance artists and artistic collaborators together to work apart on short commissions during lockdown.

The first commission, Chrysalis, was commissioned from dance artist Ryan O’Neill and video artist Conan McIvor.

Chrysalis: a state of preparation or transition reflects on lockdown through movement and moving observations as we exist in a state of internal and external unknowing.

Look into the mirror,
remove your mask,
wash your hands,
close your eyes,
quiet your mind,
what do you see?

To be the first to experience this new digital commission it will premiere on Saturday 23 May during the Inside Outside Festival and tickets can be booked here
https://www.insideoutsidefestival.com/product-page/saturday-23-chrysalis

Ryan has a first-class honours dance degree from UU and an MA in Performance Laban Trinity. Ryan has performed with Maiden Voyage since 2010 and has also worked with Liz Roche Company, Oona Doherty works, John Scott Dance, Junk Ensemble, Gwyn Emberton and ponydance.  Ryan has performed in New Zealand, Australia, New York and across Europe and spent two years performing with Punchdrunk in Shanghai. He is qualified as a yoga teacher and lives in Belfast.

Conan McIvor is a filmmaker and video artist who creates short films, video installations, immersive environments and video works for exhibition, theatre and live performance, often mediated within site-specific presentations. To date, his work has been exhibited locally and internationally in cities such as New York, Trondheim, Sarajevo, Ojai, Edmonton and Paris in a variety of exciting venues including a disused police station, freight container and sonic lab as well as traditional gallery spaces, international film festivals, national theatres, off-Broadway performances and broadcast on national television.

More Match Make commissions will be announced in the coming weeks.