The dancers time magazine

The Dancers time

In dancers time I will be comparing and communicating both pieces of the dance(solo and group piece) and how they both represent and correspond with the original choreographic idea and devices. Which is entrapment and addiction based on the film “trainspotting”.

Solo dance

The structure of my solo dance is in a ternary form with the concept of being abstract. This is illustrated through having section a,b and a which each represent the different stages of emotions and processes of being entrapped and isolated from the society and the community. Section A portrays me being confined and constricted. This is represented through small arm and hand gestures. For example, in the beginning of the piece when I first reach out my finger to the front slowly to show the depiction of searching and willing to discover hope and freedom. Whilst having that edge and panic of wanting to come out and illustrate self determination. In section A there is a metaphorical representation of a box to show how I am trapped in a small compact space. Section A I chose to represent it with energy and make it more dramatic. This was explored through the motif development of when I use arm gestures to portray the movement of reaching towards the ceiling and then going on all fours to create the metaphoric symbolic view of a box. By using the motif development I use contrasting dynamics of the motif beginning more slow and light. By repressing the motif four times and each time the movement is performed to more of a rapid, sharp and fast pace to show the dramatic effect of a representation how being entrapped can effect you both externally and internally.

However, section b is a representation of escaping the entrapment and searching for freedom and hope. This is showed through changing levels from performing floor based movements such as swings and suspending on the floor to show how I am limited and restricted both physically and mentally. One way of how I show that I am wanting to have hope and freedom. Which I present elements of this is by using movements to correspond to it. For example, this is illustrated when I perform the butterfly jump and then I rise on the balls of my feet and pushing my arm towards the ceiling. One of my strengths while doing section b of my solo dance is articulating the emotions that are represented in my solo through facial expressions and movements. For instance, one aspect that portrays it is through my movements being more dramatic and emphasised. This is through suspending more in the air when doing the jumps and the rises using arm gestures of reaching towards the ceiling. This was explored in the beginning of my solo dance when I was extending my hand towards the front. I changed the direction of where my hands were facing when reaching towards the front. This is to show how I am searching for hope and freedom in every possible way. The choreography is expressed through contemporary dance which allows me be more abstract. I'm able to express the theme of the dance entrapment and isolation.

Section c in the ternary structure form of my solo was me going back to the original choreographic idea which was entrapment. For example, I done a Hitchkick jump and drop/fall on the floor using similar hand gestures that I have done in the beginning of the dance. For instance, one of hand gestures that I do is reaching both of my hands towards the right side and contracting/arching my back to the floor. This symbolises how I am wanting to escape the illusion of entrapment but is trapped within it. One of my weaknesses in my solo dance was sometimes I was holding myself back from making it more dramatic about the theme that I am communicating towards the audience about how entrapped I am.

The solo dance was successful in me choreographing it as I was able to work myself. Which I am better with coming up with creative ideas and themes towards the dance. Doing a solo dance allows my ideas to come more across. Whereas, working in a group I was not as able to contribute my ideas as much as my solo. This is because there are other people within a group who also would want to express and share their own ideas.

The filming of my solo dance was not as successful as I wanted it to be. For example, there were times that there should have been more close ups when I was recording my solo which would allow my solo to communicate the idea and choreographic idea of entrapment. The filming was holding me back from my solo reaching its full potential and success that it could have been. If I had the chance to film my solo again I would make sure that there are more close ups and zoom in of my hand gestures that were implying how I am limited and imprisoned in a small space.

My solo dance was site specific because I wanted my solo dance to communicate the idea of entrapment. One of the choreographers who inspired me to do a filmed specific site dance is Lloyd Newson. Site specific solo dance felt different for me when filming it compared to if I performed it live at the theatre.

Group Dance

In the group piece we explore the desperation and addiction of drugs and heroine. This is through the original choreographic idea of addiction based on the film “trainspotting” which we use as our main stimulus. For example, in the beginning  I say a few lines from the monologue within train spotting while doing movements that correspond to the theme. For instance, when I say the line “smother the pain” I use hand gestures to grab my neck to show illustrate how I am showing symbolism of suffering from a drug addiction upstage left. The monologue was performed one after each other(in a cannon). This section also illustrates how we are a unit(how the drug heroine is taking over our whole body. For instance, when all of us relevae on our feet into a lunge towards upstage right. I use sharper and stronger dynamics in the beginning of the group piece to signify how I am trapped both physiologically and mentally by the drug heroine (which is represented as our stimulus of our group dance). One of my strengths of the group piece is having focus and energy when performing. In addition, this was explored by using facial expressions that connotes desperation and hope for freedom through the control of the drug. One of my weaknesses is the beginning of section a when I was slightly off time to some of the other dancers. This is due to slightly being out of time of the music in the beginning of the dance.

In section b there was a contrast in dynamics from section a to b. For instance, in the duet section I use repetition of the arm gestures that signify that signify desperation of heroine and the pain of heroine. The dynamics when doing the duet are more soft, light and free to suggest how you can be free from drugs and  allow yourself to be able to let go. This leads to one of the highlights of the group piece is living Taya which is the high point of drug overdose and addiction. Which shows the cycle of drug addiction reaching to high point of desperation and despair of being addicted. Furthermore, the lift had contrasting dynamics of it being more uplifted and free while feeling externally and internally effected by the drug.

Section c is a contrast with the silent section when there is no use of music that is used in the section. It shows the lowest point of the drug addiction in the cycle and is a moment of realisation. This was performed centre stage. Me and Ebony represent the parallels of the drug addiction. There is a conversation between the two of us(showing aspects of question vs answer). The other dancers were turning away from me and Ebony who are the addicts. The dynamics starts slow then speeds up(relapse) then it goes back to the beginning. It goes back to the choreographic devices of addiction and the chaos of the drug heroine. For example, the dynamics are more chaotic, quick, sharp and out of control. All of us are running which symbolises how the cycle of addiction is starting again and how it is on going. It could be a connotation towards cold turkey we are reaching away from the addiction but are reaching towards the drug. Cold turkey is one of the forms that explore and signify the drug addiction and how it is out of control.

Commentary on Lloyd Newson

Lloyd Newson is the one of the choreographers that has had a main influence in my solo dance and the use of site specific dance pieces. He used the space in a very different and unique way. For example, he uses different pathways and a small amount of space. In order, to portray and illustrate his s his theme and stimulus which was based on families within society(through his influence on spoken word and contact improvisation he is showing all of the struggles that's families are facing in this reality as a whole. For example, this is shown through the use of counter balances and transferring weight onto one another. Through showing the theme and the choreographic intentions of the dance piece. His use of spacing and arm/hand gestures were very inspirational towards my solo dance piece about the concept of entrapment.

Solo dance-off site

The theme of my solo dance is entrapment that is explored in a abstract interpretation of wanting to break free from being trapped and isolated in a small closed space. The off site place allowed me to show the purpose and meaning of actually being trapped and emprisoned from the outside. The structure that I used in my solo is ternary. For example, in section a of my solo was floor work. I used the choreographic devices of repetition of hand gestures in the beginning when I only start reaching out with one finger then reached with two fingers which led to my whole hand reaching towards the whole audience to symbolise how I am showing desperation to escape from entrapment and to have freedom and liberation. The first section shows the first stage/element of entrapment with my hand gestures towards the front and up using gestural movement(which shows an metaphorical symbol of me being trapped in a box. I used dynamic variation when repeating the motif of using different body parts to reach/break out from my invisible metaphorical box that is keeping me held in and trapped. This sequence is repeated 4 times from slow and softer to stronger,sharper and direct. By increasing my intensity and speed this is representing my urge and despair of being trapped contrasting dynamics allows me to do this.

The highlight of my solo is represented in my climax from when I am standing. The dynamics contrast from the beginning. This goes into section B when I am free(I.e. I use traveling movement such as jumps(on a diagonal line reaching and being able to go more further). After the jump I hold a position using hand gestural movement to show and portray stillness. Stillness is used in my dance performance to show a moment of realisation and a pause from being trapped and isolated. Stillness is also used in my dance to show a portrayal of what it feels like to be able to escape and to be free from society. The stillness contrasts with the whole dance as it represents a moment to capture with the pain and despair of being entrapment and not able to reach a certain extent and way through while performing on the off site location in Walthamstow. The relationship with the space allows me to communicate the abstract concept of my dance entrapment and freedom using the style contemporary . In order, to illustrate using the structure of dance in a ternary form in each section of my solo represent stages of entrapment from emotional to physical and how entrapment can effect you mentally and psychologically. Some of the stylistic forms of development included exploring more of the element of the style contemporary dance. For example, basing the first section of the dance on the floor doing floor work that associates with contemporary dance such as doing forward/backward rolls, leg swings, suspending the dance movement to enhance it and make it more dramatic towards the wider audience that I am suffocating from having a closed and entrapped feeling. Contemporary dance allows me to use a dynamic range from leaps to straddle jumps. In order, to communicate and explore the abstract concept of contemporary within my solo.

Group piece

In the group choreography there are different types of expression and emotion that we have to present in our dance. For example, in the ternary dance structure of the piece in section A the monologue a variety of emotions have to presented such as the desperation and desire that we have for the drug heroine. As, addiction is presented as one of our main stimuluses and aspects towards trainspotting. We are searching and trying to find what we need from the drug. The drug heroine enables us to escape from reality and to be able to create our own world. After the monologue in the first section it begins to becom chaotic and explosive with a need and purpose of our addictions(this is explored in union) to show the impact and unity of how drugs can effect us on an emotional level and a psychical
level. The union section represents that we have to go through so many barriers both mentally and physically through the different stages and points of drug addiction.

The second section concept and narrative is representing that the drug also haves a positive affect on us. The high point of the cycle of the drug is explored and showned by lifting Taya which is represented as the highlight and climax of the dance. The climax is escaping the highest point of the drug. In the climax we change the dynamics that we use. For example, in the climax the movement are sharper and jerky. In order to portray the reaching point of the drug that we share a physical and mental relationship with. So, the quality of the movement would be more direct. The diagonal line we go into after lifting Taya explores action vs reaction using contact work. To illustrate how we are manipulated by the drug. When we are being knocked out of the head when Rosemary pushes all of us and we react to it as being  knocked into the head. We as the dancers respond to this as it effects us externally and internally. This goes into the cold turkey which symbolises reaching away from the drug addiction but trying to find a way of not escaping the drug addiction. This was represented when we were in two groups on a diagonal line. To correspond with each other portraying the action vs reaction. We use different levels in the two groups that we are in. In order to show contrasting levels. The motif that we use on the floor reaching out using hand gestural movement represents the satisfaction of the drug.

The silent section symbolises a moment of realisation. We are feeding off people who are going through the drug addiction and were trying to escape and break free from the cycle. Me and Ebony in the silent section use different levels(I'm on my knees and Ebony is standing) which represents the contrast of the drug(the high and the low point of the drug). This illustrates the pros and the cons of the drug(me and Ebony are communicating through our movements-question/answer). The other dancers in this section are the addicts who are addicted. We use contrasting dynamics which starts slow and speed up fast and sharper. Increasing the speed and quality(this explores the relapse) going back to the beginning(section A-ternary structure that explores the cycle of drug addiction). One of the elements that I have to improve on is my use of emotions and expression within the dance piece. Through showing the desperation and depression towards the concept and theme of drug addiction.

solo dance-off site space

I was practicing and rehearsing in the external space in college grounds within Walthamstow shopping mall. The space was very compacted and small which suits the whole concept and theme of my dance which is entrapment. Entrapment is my main stimulus and theme of my solo dance through it showing symbolic views of wanting to escape and feeling emotionally and physically trapped. This is one of the reasons why that I used a smaller space when performing my solo. As, it communicates the message more of entrapment indoors rather than outdoors(as it wouldn't had communicated the message in the same way. Rehearsing in the space had its advantages and disadvantages towards it. For example, some of the disadvantages included being interrupted and stopped by members of the public when rehearsing and recording my piece. For rehearsing and practicing my solo we had to go to Walthamstow mall early in the morning. This is because there would be less people when we are rehearsing. My solo dance was not created in the desired space that I performed the dance. In my solo dance I was mostly rehearsing and practicing the dance in the dance studio. Which is a very big space, and by performing/doing the concept and theme of the dance in the dance studio made me lose the illustration of what the dance piece is meant to present to a wider audience. Which is the idea of how I am trapped and isolated in a very space and I am confined in a world that wants to keep me trapped and not being able to have a source of freedom or agency.

Silent section extended

In the silent section we are using contact work to show the irritation and paranoia of the drug heroine. I am the person in the silent section who is going through the cold turkey. The other dancers are the causes of my reactions, the itch, the irritation. With the duet contact improvisation explores aspects of the cold turkey such as action vs reaction. For example, they correspond with what movement that I do and the pace of that I do the movement in. For instance, when I reach my hand downstage the duet  reacted to my movement and corresponded with slowly reaching their hands towards me with a slower pace using the dynamics of smooth and slower. Then I pushes through the duets from the back of Ebony and Rosemary. I run through everyone using the change in dynamics. Through the speed of the movement being faster and the quality being more stronger and sharper. They follow me after I run exploring how I am trapped through the withdrawals of the drug(symptoms of the cold turkey). I am manipulated as the drug take over my body. This is represented through Ebony being the drug and me being the addict that feeds off her. I try to get free from the drug while Ebony is unable to. This is explored through me using gestural movement of reaching out towards the side and being able to find away to escape from the drug. Using the dynamics more by a slower pace and speed in the beginning of me and Ebony's duet. Ebony has more control of what I am doing. As she is leading me and I am following her.

My solo dance-final

In my dance rehearsals I have been practicing the final version of my solo dance. The strengths of my solo dance is the use of motif development on the floor(in my floor work sequence). I used the choreographic devices such as changing the dynamics of one of my motifs. This included creating a barrier of using my arms to reach towards the ceilings as there is a certain stopping point of when I try to reach towards achieving freedom.Another aspect that I need to improve on for my solo dance is the intention and intensity of the dance(making the dance more dramatic such as using more quality of the dynamics sharp when I finished my floor work) to make it more abrupt and sudden. Getting ready for the climax of the dance when I have to increase my intensity of the movement and intention of the theme entrapment and what it is suggesting towards the whole audience. This can be presented as a gradual build up of intention emphasising each of the movements(i.e. my floor work sequence to be emphasise with the gestural movements/motif of reaching out for freedom and escape from society. Making the dance more dramatic will show more of my theme through one of the stimulus of the music. The song, we disappear by John Hopkins is one of my stimulus that is used to represent how I am unable to get freedom and trapped in a small space. This rehearsal allowed to see what working in a large space would be like towards the theme of my dance. My solo dance would work better in a small space(doing my dance in a large space makes it seems as though that my piece is lost and all over the place).