Concept and creative process
’The Relay’ was part of a series of outstanding and memorable programmes to mark 40 years of BBC Television. Using some of the unique advantages of film and video electronics, the American choreographer, composer and director, Alwin Nikolais, collaborated with the BBC to produce this striking visual experience.
The performance demanded an equally experimental response to the creation of the opening titles. Alan Jeapes made a pioneering piece of work, perfectly reflecting the performance ethos. He arranged blocks of three-dimensional type on a vacuum table and covered them with aluminium foil. When the air was sucked out, the type became legible through the surface of the foil, which created an additional interplay of light, reflected colour and movement.