Argentinian artist and choreographer Cecilia Bengolea is bringing an intimate lens to the visceral world of Jamaican street culture through her latest video installation. Featured as part of the “Reverb” exhibition at 180 Studios in London, the work explores the intersections of movement, social identity, and the rhythmic pulse of Kingston.
The centerpiece, titled Shelly Belly Inna Real Life, is the result of a multi-year project filmed in Jamaica between 2015 and 2019. Through the eyes of dancehall icon Shelly Belly, Bengolea captures more than just the choreographed precision of the genre; she documents the communities and individuals who sustain the scene, framing dancehall not merely as a performance, but as a vital social architecture.
By embedding herself within the scene, Bengolea avoids the pitfalls of a detached ethnographic study. Instead, the Cecilia Bengolea dancehall film functions as a collaborative portrait, examining how the physical language of dancehall responds to the environment from which it emerged. The work delves into the complexities of the Jamaican street, including the often-tense relationship between the Jamaican police and the dance communities, highlighting how movement can serve as both a sanctuary and a form of resistance.
The Social Choreography of Dancehall
Dancehall, which originated in the urban centers of Jamaica, is characterized by its high energy and deep connection to the socioeconomic realities of the people. In Shelly Belly Inna Real Life, Bengolea analyzes the choreography of the street, looking at how dancehall participants navigate their physical and social spaces. The film provides a window into the “real life” of these artists, moving beyond the polished aesthetics often seen in global pop culture to show the grit and resilience of the local scene.
Bengolea’s approach is rooted in her own background as a dancer and choreographer, allowing her to engage with Shelly Belly on a technical and emotional level. The installation focuses on the nuances of the body—how a specific gesture or rhythm carries the weight of cultural history and personal struggle. This focus on the “social context” of the dance suggests that the movement is inseparable from the political and economic conditions of the neighborhoods where it thrives.
The exploration extends to the wider world of street dance, positioning Jamaican dancehall as a foundational influence on global urban movement. By documenting the raw, unvarnished interactions within the community, Bengolea challenges the viewer to consider the difference between the commercialization of these dances and their original purpose as community-binding rituals.
A Continuing Collaboration with The Vinyl Factory
This installation is not Bengolea’s first exploration of these themes or her first collaboration with The Vinyl Factory. In 2016, she partnered with acclaimed artist Jeremy Deller to create Bom Bom’s Dream for the Infinite Mix exhibition. That project similarly engaged with the dancehall scene, though it centered on the journey of a Japanese dancer known as Bom Bom.
Interestingly, Shelly Belly also played a starring role in Bom Bom’s Dream, establishing a long-term creative relationship between the artist and the dancer. This continuity allowed Bengolea to build a deeper level of trust and access, which is evident in the intimacy of the footage in Shelly Belly Inna Real Life. The transition from the 2016 project to the current installation marks a shift from exploring the global reach of dancehall to a more concentrated study of its heart in Jamaica.
The inclusion of this work in the “Reverb” exhibition emphasizes the synergy between sound and vision. As a video installation, the piece relies on the sonic environment of Jamaica to ground the visual movements, creating a sensory experience that mirrors the immersive nature of a dancehall session.
Visiting Reverb at 180 Studios
The exhibition is hosted at 180 Studios, a venue known for hosting large-scale, multidisciplinary art installations that challenge traditional gallery formats. “Reverb” integrates Bengolea’s work into a broader dialogue about sound and its impact on physical space and memory.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 180 Studios, 180 The Strand, London, WC2R 1EA |
| Dates | May 22, 2024 – March 2, 2025 |
| Holiday Closure | Closed Dec 23, 2024 – Jan 8, 2025 |
| Hours | Wed–Sat: 12pm–7pm; Sun: 12pm–6pm |
For those interested in the intersection of contemporary art and urban music, the Cecilia Bengolea dancehall film serves as a critical case study in how choreography can document history. The installation encourages visitors to look past the spectacle of the dance to see the human infrastructure—the teachers, the rivals, and the residents—who keep the culture alive.
The work stands as a testament to the power of long-term artistic commitment, proving that the most authentic insights often come from years of observation and relationship-building rather than a fleeting visit.
The “Reverb” exhibition will remain open to the public through March 2, 2025, providing a final window for audiences to experience Bengolea’s study of Jamaican movement. Visitors are encouraged to check the official 180 Studios website for ticket bookings and updated scheduling.
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