Tap Noir
Tap Noir is the newest project of tap dancer / choreographer Janne Eraker (N) in cooperation with sound and light designer Jorg Schellekens (NL). The rhythm and movement vocabulary of tap dance are combined with dark soundscapes and optical illusions. Janne and Jorg are inspired by film noir and Japanese horror movies, and are looking for how tap dance can work with these aesthetics. The tap dance is applied in a specific and effective way in the artistic expression of Tap Noir. It becomes an experience on the edge of the extreme, and the whole thing feels less like Swing Time and more like The Ring. Tap Noir consists of one dancer and three stroboscopic lights, connected by contact microphones and piezo pickups. These can trigger both light and sound. The tap dance is audible in itself, but also amplified with effects or samples. Together it works like some kind of instrument, where the tap dancer in different degrees has the control to “play” the sounds and the light.
Tap Noir has gone through several short research stages, and will be fully developed in 2021, with the support of the Norwegian Arts Council, Oslo City and FFUK.
Tap dance Janne Eraker Light and sound Jorg Schellekens Filming Sentoplene Location Bureau Dégradé, The Hague
Supported by Notam, The Hague City, Oslo City, The Norwegian Arts Council (FFLB), FFUK, Scenekunst+ and Dansateliers.
In 2019 Jorg Schellekens and I did some research for Tap Noir, and these are a collection of sketches from the work in progress. Due to the stroboscopic light it's difficult to film, and it’s not possible to reproduce the live experience. We hope the trailer can still give you an impression of the potential of this work.
Tap Noir is exclusively lit with stroboscopes. A big part of what you see when watching the piece in real life is caused by a physiological phenomenon called the ’afterimage’ effect. It is described as ’an image continuing to appear in one’s vision after the exposure to the original image has ceased. One of the most common afterimages is the bright glow that seems to float before one’s eyes after looking into a light source.’ Because it’s caused by a physical reaction in your own eyes it’s almost impossible to reproduce in video. Please keep this in mind when viewing.
Tap Noir has gone through several short research stages, and will be fully developed in 2021, with the support of the Norwegian Arts Council, Oslo City and FFUK.
Tap dance Janne Eraker Light and sound Jorg Schellekens Filming Sentoplene Location Bureau Dégradé, The Hague
Supported by Notam, The Hague City, Oslo City, The Norwegian Arts Council (FFLB), FFUK, Scenekunst+ and Dansateliers.
In 2019 Jorg Schellekens and I did some research for Tap Noir, and these are a collection of sketches from the work in progress. Due to the stroboscopic light it's difficult to film, and it’s not possible to reproduce the live experience. We hope the trailer can still give you an impression of the potential of this work.
Tap Noir is exclusively lit with stroboscopes. A big part of what you see when watching the piece in real life is caused by a physiological phenomenon called the ’afterimage’ effect. It is described as ’an image continuing to appear in one’s vision after the exposure to the original image has ceased. One of the most common afterimages is the bright glow that seems to float before one’s eyes after looking into a light source.’ Because it’s caused by a physical reaction in your own eyes it’s almost impossible to reproduce in video. Please keep this in mind when viewing.