Joe Laughlin/Joe Ink

The work is about the human heart which is vital for life. It is the main organ in our cardiovascular system, moves blood though the body in a coordinated way and delivers oxygen to our cells. The power of the heart has been a symbol of life, death and everything in between for millennia. The heart's symbolic meanings are associated with love and emotional attachments. The heart icon can mean unity, the sacred, femininity, life, spiritualism and much more.

Choreographer: Joe Laughlin

Performer: Joe Laughlin

the heart of it is dedicated to the memory of Kerry Dotto and Peter Bingham.

Joe Laughlin is the founding Artistic Director of Joe Ink and has created fifteen productions for the company, most recently I remember…which premiered at the  Firehall Arts Centre in 2025. An accomplished choreographer, performer, educator, mentor and community dance developer, Joes’ background in gymnastics and extensive performance experience uniquely inform his style. He choreographs in contemporary dance and has also successfully crossed over into ballet, opera, theatre and television. His reputation for versatility is due as much to these forays as to his natural curiosity about life. Commissions include the National Arts Centre, Royal Winnipeg, Ballet, Ballet BC, BRAVO and Moving into Dance Mophatong, among others and his over 65 works have been performed in Canada, the US, UK, Europe, South Africa and South Korea. Honors include the Banff Centres Clifford E Lee Choreography Award, Canada Council’s Jacqueline Lemieux Prize and BC Isadora Award for Choreography. Well known for his personable teaching style, Joe's ability to inspire dancers and non-dancers alike to discover their individual movement potential is one of his unique talents. His passion for working with communities led him to create Move It! in 2001.

Joe Ink was formed in response to the choreographic vision of Joe Laughlin and founded in 1995. Described as “wickedly sophisticated”, “unusual” and “daring” this Vancouver company speaks in a dance language all its own. Joe Ink has produced fifteen full length works and presented multiple public performances in the context of the Move It! community dance program. Balancing major works at home and partnerships with local, national and international artists and organizations, this critically acclaimed company is known for its versatility.

Joe Ink gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council and the City of Vancouver.