The X6 Collective was a counter-cultural dance movement active from 1976 to 1980 in London, UK. X6 established an entirely new structure and way of working outside of Britain’s mainstream ballet and contemporary dance institutions. It was concerned with a fundamentally new approach to dance aesthetics, organisation and teaching, informed by emerging feminist and queer theoretical frameworks.   

‘X6 Dance Space (1976-80): Liberation Notes’    brings together unseen, archival material including original photographs by Geoff White, footage by Stefan Szczelkun, publicity material from performances and events as well as a display of selected New Dance magazines. X6 developed new radical ways of working and thinking about dance relevant to its particular social and political moment. This exhibition presents an opportunity to revisit the movement and consider the legacy of X6 within a contemporary framework, rethinking strategies of collectivity, resistance and opposition to oppressive politics within current art practices. 

A programme of events, discussions and performances will take place throughout the duration of the exhibition. This includes new works by X6 founders Emilyn Claid, Fergus Early, Jacky Lansley and Mary Prestidge, and a new performance work by artists Sanna Helena Berger and Shade Théret that responds to the legacy of X6 and its work.

X6 Collective    (1976-80)     was founded by Emilyn Claid, Maedée Duprès, Fergus Early, Jacky Lansley and Mary Prestidge. Based in a warehouse building in Butler’s Wharf, London, X6 formed part of an emerging alternative art scene of artists, performers and filmmakers. X6 produced and published ‘New Dance’ magazine (1977-88), featuring contributions from international writers and practitioners. X6 Collective were formative in the development of the Association of Dance and Mime Artists (ADMA) and closely associated to the Dartington Dance Festival. Their work was presented at ICA, London (1979); Whitechapel Gallery, London (1979); Dartington Festival (1978-79); ADMA (Association of Dance and Mime Artists) Festival at the Drill Hall, London (1977- 80); and ACME Gallery, London (1977). In 1980, Butler’s Wharf was sold and redeveloped. Members of the X6 Collective and others went on to found Chisenhale Dance Space, London (1980-), an organisation that continues to provide support for independent dance and choreographic practices today.

Cell Project Space