The vision for this video performance short was inspired by “Expanding” - a poem by Tara Downs - which is recited twice in this piece.
The poem is inspired by a transitional period for them, moving from their late teens into early 20s. During one of our talks about the poem and their experience, they expressed that the poem was an expression of complex feelings which, at the time, was excitement, peacefulness and growth. The hum represents Tara’s voice and the growth swelling from within, a movement throughout their body, like that of a dance that explodes into a crescendo. The hum is also intentional, as it serves as an ode to Tara’s late grandma who would walk around the house and hum, a trait that Tara would then adapt without realizing. The hum resonating within the centre of their body is reassurance that they’re on the right track and their grandma is still connected through their memories and learnt behaviours. Lastly the hum resonating from the ribs shows the deep connection the two have, as if they are now one being.
Drawing from these references visually, filmmaker Jik-Reuben Pringle worked very closely with dancer and choreographer Neila Ebanks and Tara to create the visuals. The vision was to recreate the feeling of grandma’s backyard; to have that nostalgia to which most of us as Jamaicans who loved our grandparents can somewhat relate. Being swept back to our youth, back to her backyard and watching her complete her daily chores, as represented in the visuals of her raking and hanging clothes. Tying to the connection they both have, Neila both represents Tara and the grandma simultaneously, as they transcend to the next phase in their evolution. They end each scene at the pinnacle of their self; in crescendo.
Poetry by Tara Downs
Choreographer & Dancer: Neila Ebanks
Director: Jik-Reuben Pringle
Producer: Rebel Women Lit
Director of Photography: Cesar Buelto
1st Assistant Camerawoman: Toni-Ann Davy
Sound Editor: Andrew Campbell
Music Composer: Jeremy Ashbourne
Editor: DavyFrsh
You can connect with Tara Downs on Instagram (IG) @feeelsome; Neila Ebanks @neilaebankhs and Jik-Reuben Pringle at www.jikreubenvisuals.com or @jikreuben on Twitter, IG and Facebook.