“We have been taught that one way of relating – lifelong monogamous heterosexual marriage – is the only right way. We are told that monogamy is “normal” and “natural”; if our desires do not fit into that constraint, we are morally deficient, psychologically disturbed, and going against nature. Many of us feel instinctively that something is wrong with this picture. But how can you dig up and examine a belief that you don’t even know you hold? The ideal of lifelong monogamy as the only proper goal for a relationship is so deeply buried in our culture that it’s almost invisible: we operate on these beliefs without even knowing we believe them. They’re under our feet all the time, the foundation for our assumptions, our values, our desires, our myths, our expectations. We don’t notice them until we trip over them.” ¹
'Pas de Trois' is a conceptual narrative series that features ballet dancers in various locations around Manchester, UK, depicting the transition from an unfulfilled conventional couple who recognise and embrace their instincts and feelings and adopt a polyamorous lifestyle. Aiming to start a debate about relationship models, the series is concerned with challenging conformity and breaking paradigms.
“We have many friends who have chosen to be monogamous, and we applaud them. But how many people in our society consciously make that choice?” ² ¹ ² 'The Ethical Slut', by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy
dancers: Stephanie Lo, Bernardo Ribeiro and Josh Moss
(This body of work was produced for my final major project for the university of Salford in 2014)
"I thought this was what I should do"
"I wanted more, but didn't know what"
"I felt secure, but trapped"
"We got into a huge fight"
Seeking Freedom
"My transition was instantaneous, as a result of an epiphany"
"The biggest joys of polyamory are being able to explore new relationships in an open way without guilt or deception"
Compersion - "I am really surprised how not jealous I am"
"Discovering polyamory was the single greatest moment of my life and continues to bring me more joy daily than I ever knew before"
My end of year degree show at the BBC open centre in media city (2014)
