THE BALTIMORE DANCE PROJECT
THE BALTIMORE
DANCE PROJECT
The launch of 'WEPRESENT' WeTransfer’s editorial platform, premiering 'The Baltimore Dance Project' was a defining moment.
Filmed at Baltimore’s Lithuanian Hall on July 18, 2016, by director Nick Walker the documentary follows FKA twigs just days after she takes to social media to rally the community, inviting them to come together and celebrate artistic expression through dance. This gathering coincided with the rising momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement in the US. Alton Sterling was fatally shot on July 5, 2016, and Philando Castile was killed the following day, on July 6, 2016.
Our in-house team worked tirelessly to capture the mood, feeling, and spirit of FKA twigs' deep commitment to using dance as a powerful tool to unite and uplift communities.
In the piece Rob Alderson (Chief of Editorial at the time) describes the transformative experience where, over the span of five hours, strangers became a cohesive unit with a newfound sense of family.
As the director, Nick Walker, adapted to the evolving energy of the community, his approach matched twigs' openness and trust in the process—capturing the authentic and spontaneous moments that defined the project.
The climax of this collaboration was not just in the performances but in the meaningful interactions—some dancers were chosen for their joy, others for their improvement, and some for their stories, as twigs aimed to showcase Baltimore’s own 'magical people' at her show, reinforcing their value within their community. This strategic choice underlines the project's commitment to not just showcasing talent but celebrating the city's vibrant spirit and diversity.
In the piece Rob Alderson (Chief of Editorial at the time) describes the transformative experience where, over the span of five hours, folks became a cohesive unit with a newfound sense of family.
As the director, Nick Walker, adapted to the evolving energy of the community, his approach matched twigs' openness and trust in the process—capturing the authentic and spontaneous moments that defined the project.
The climax of this collaboration was not just in the performances but in the meaningful interactions—some dancers were chosen for their joy, others for their improvement, and some for their stories, as twigs aimed to showcase Baltimore’s own 'magical people' at her show, reinforcing their value within their community. This strategic choice underlines the project's commitment to not just showcasing talent but celebrating the city's vibrant spirit and diversity.
— “When I was thinking about doing a dance project, the obvious places would be LA or New York but I thought why not go to a place that obviously has so much soul and so much amazing energy? You’ll be able to connect with them rather than being another artist that is passing through.” — FKA twigs
— “When I was thinking about doing a dance project, the obvious places would be LA or New York but I thought why not go to a place that obviously has so much soul and so much amazing energy? You’ll be able to connect with them rather than being another artist that is passing through.” — FKA twigs
For us really this wasn’t just about launching a platform or premiering a video; it was about making a statement and genuinely engaging with significant societal shifts.
This commitment by WeTransfer has been ongoing and was further underscored by the establishment of The Supporting Act Foundation dedicated to creating better opportunities in the arts by carving out spaces for emerging artists and artist-led groups from under-represented communities, aiming to deliver systemic change.
After its release, The WeTransfer Studios documentary of FKA twigs' impromptu dance workshop in Baltimore, scooped a bronze award and the public's choice award for Best Branded Editorial Experience, Online Advertising as well as a Silver Clio Award in the film category of the Clio Music Awards.
These accolades were a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved and the resonance of the piece with a broader audience.
CREDITS — CD: ORLANDO F. RUIZ / WT — PM: JENNE MEERMAN / WT — WRITER: ROB ALDERSON / WT — PRODUCER: LUKAS NIEUWENHUISJEN / WT — CD: JORDAN RITZ / ACADEMY + — DIRECTOR: NICK WALKER / ACADEMY +
CREDITS — CD: ORLANDO F. RUIZ / WT — PM: JENNE MEERMAN / WT — WRITER: ROB ALDERSON / WT — PRODUCER: LUKAS NIEUWENHUISJEN / WT — CD: JORDAN RITZ / ACADEMY + DIRECTOR: NICK WALKER / ACADEMY +
© ORLANDO F. RUIZ iS a CREATIVE DIRECTOR LIVING IN BEAUTIFUL AND ☀︎ BARCELONA 2024 aLL RIGHTS RESERVED
