Vanishing point

The film title refers to a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines appear to converge. The placement of the vanishing point/dancer (E.Giannotti) in desert conditions determines which perspective technique is being used. The (choreographic-)film works with the notion of reverse perspective - that is, a film constituted in such a way that a further vanishing point, located 'outside' the filmic frame, stands-in for the viewer; the movement of the dancer, towards the camera/ choreographer, operates to produce the illusion that the dancer will emerge 'in front of' the projection screen, and the final tight close-up effects this illusion of interpersonal connectivity. The vanishing point can also refer to the point in the distance where the two verges of the space, joining together filmic figure and virtual viewer, appear to converge. When the vanishing point/distanced dancer moves towards the onlooker/ camera/ choreographer, the curve tightens. In thematic terms, the work addresses questions of navigation, the geographical presence central to the process of a journey and the disturbing emotional demands of travel. The piece is filmed in desert conditions, and the single, largely mid-shot take reveals the performer walking at length, across the desert landscape, towards the single camera. The film was awarded Arts Council Funding (£20,000, Capture 3 award), and initially shown at the ICA; it continues to tour internationally (e.g. Berlin, Paris 2006; Montreal 2007). Since the initial showing, the film has become part of the Arts Council Installation tour project 2004-2005 under the curatorship of Portland Green. This film marks a research shift by Butcher to Visual Arts/Performance, and explores new modes of arts-collaborative practice with a professional filmmaker (M.Otter). It has triggered a number of presentations at different universities, achieving dissemination in established research terms. Portfolio: available on DVD.