Few people have attempted to describe Shaun Caton’s performances because they are so hideously grotesque, densely layered and interwoven with atmospheric detail, and operate on many sensory levels. ‘Apocalyptic’, ‘dreamlike’, ‘protoprehistoric’, ‘cyber shamanic raves’ and ‘epic primordial extravaganzas’ are some previous attempts to explain this reclusive artist’s highly personal performances. Caton emerged in the early 1980s and has continued developing his performances for new audiences, most extensively throughout Europe. His performances incorporate real archaeological found objects, monumental soundtracks, experimental shadow play and multiple shifts in pace and time. Although he has presented over 300 performances his work is relatively unknown outside of a small following in the UK.
From 200914, film makers Julius Beltrame and Robert Pugh filmed many of Caton’s performances, often travelling with him on location. A Glimpse Inside the Grotto is a candid and visually stunning film introduction to Caton’s bizarre inner world and the performances he creates to make sense of this. Shaun Caton is also an obsessive collector and has amassed an incredible collection of vintage photographs, covering the period 18501980, relating to the history of performance in all its guises and genres, with a definite taste for weird and wonderful. For the first time, he shares some rare highlights from this archive and in his own personal interpretation, talks about how collecting photographs of performance has shaped his own life and work.
About LADA Screens
LADA Screens is a series of free, online screenings of seminal performance documentation, works to camera, short films/video and archival footage. It is part of Live Online, LADA’s dedicated space where you can watch short videos and films drawn from LADA’s Study Room or generated through our programmes and initiatives. Each screening will be available to view online for a limited time only, and will be launched with a live event at the White Building in Hackney Wick, London. thisistomorrow will feature the films for the duration of the screenings.
Other LADA Screens Launch Events and Screenings
Amy Sharrocks
SWIM, online from 17 – 31 August 2015
Launch event Monday 17th August, 7pm at the White Building
Katherine Araniello
The Dinner Party Revisited, online from 9 – 23 September 2015 Launch event Wednesday 9th September, 7.30pm at the White Building
About LADA
The Live Art Development Agency (LADA) is a Centre for Live Art: a knowledge centre, a production centre for programmes and publications, a research centre setting artists and ideas in motion, and an online centre for digital experimentation, representation and dissemination. LADA also runs Unbound a shop for Live Art books, DVDs and Editions.
 a film about the work of Shaun Caton by Julius G. Beltrame and Robert S. Pugh. Available to view online between 15 and 29 July 2015.){kind=link}