Interview: Cecilia Bengolea on her dancehall film for The Vinyl Factory: Reverb

The new film Shelly Belly Inna Real Life is the artist and choreographer’s second collaboration with The Vinyl Factory.

In a new interview, Argentinian artist, choreographer, and dancer Cecilia Bengolea details the experience of making Shelly Belly Inna Real Life, her video installation for The Vinyl Factory: Reverb exhibition.

Exploring the world of dancehall – a genre and form of dance originating in Jamaica – Bengolea’s Shelly Bell Inna Real Life grants an intimate view of the communities and individuals that keep the scene going. Accompanying dancehall icon Shelly Belly, Bengolea explores the choreography and social context of dancehall’s participants and the wider culture around them.

In this interview, Bengolea discusses her connection with dancehall, the relationship between the Jamaican police and dance and the wider world of street dance.

Shelly Belly Inna Real Life isn’t Bengolea’s first brush with Shelly Belly or The Vinyl Factory. In 2016, Bengolea and her collaborative partner Jeremy Deller teamed up with The Vinyl Factory to create Bom Bom’s Dream for The Infinite Mix exhibition.

Following the adventures of a Japanese dancer known as Bom Bom, Bom Bom’s Dream similarly engaged the dancehall and featured Shelly Belly in a starring role.

Watch the video above and book tickets for the exhibition here.

The Vinyl Factory: Reverb runs until December 22 at 180 The Strand. Book tickets online.

Read more: Es Devlin on Screenshare at The Vinyl Factory: Reverb exhibition