RITUALS is a new series of 3 films that explore the magical, yet real, power of ritualistic acts in the age of covid.
The dream-like films (Cleanse, Breath and Sanctuary) show hand-washing as a protective spell of love, the wishes we quietly make when we hold our breath, and the boundaries that must be invoked to dispel harm.
Liverpool-based artist and filmmaker Tom Shennan was commissioned to make the work during lockdown by Public Health Liverpool and COoL (Open Culture/Homotopia). He collaborated with dance artist and choreographer Shivaangee Agrawal to create the ritual movement sequences for the films.
The concept was developed with a group of young people in Liverpool over Zoom and they were able to film themselves at home to be included in the film. The action plays out within the confines of a computer screen mirroring the experience of young people under lockdown. The lead performances were shot on location at Wallasey Beach with a reduced crew.
To see more on the making of these films go to the artist’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomshenn