Week 3:


Lesson 3: Translation Task 

Today, we explored a new choreographic technique - Translation. The first exercise started by standing in a line in our groups. One person from each group was privately given a word as a stimulus to create a small phrase that lasted for one count of eight. These words included; flow, alone, inside, gentle, sticky etc. The other group members turned away from the choreographing dancer. 

The next step was for the second person in line to watch the eight counts - they saw this performed just twice. They then performed this to the third person - who saw this performed just once.  Simultaneously then, the first and last person performed the routine they had in mind. This process was repeated three more times whilst swapping the roles of each person.  More often than not, like Chinese Whispers, the original and final version of the motif was very different!

After establishing our new phrases, the rest of the lesson was dedicated to constructing a group dance made from the motifs. We started by creating a solid foundation by finding the general movement connections as well as introducing spacing and patterning. We found ways to integrate the different versions of movement at the same time. The teacher then challenged us to introduce choreographic devices, such as cannon, reverse and retrograde. After this addition, we inserted words to guide specific movements - for example, faster and pause. Lastly, we added different dynamics into our piece adding to its artistic flavour, depth and interest.

I enjoyed this process as it made us find patterns and connections that would otherwise have remained dormant. This method is one I had not come across before and is one I will certainly be using again. I enjoyed witnessing how the detail and depth increased with every section that was added. It resulted in a motif full of thought and choreographic devices, producing a visually exciting piece of work!


Comments

  1. rosabella murphy1 November 2020 at 13:35

    I really enjoyed reading this blog Louisa and watching your final choreography in which I can clearly see a wide variety of different choreographic devices such as canon and repetition. You have explained the task in detail and I like how you have added in how you felt about the task alongside the challenges you faced. How do you feel the use of dynamics and choreographic devices effected your final piece?

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    1. LouisaBratby4 December 2020 at 07:27

      I believe using our chorographic devices combined with dynamic suddenly transformed our pieces level of interest, detail and quality. They added more depth. Dynamics changed the way movement was represented and helped make certain moments in our phrase to become focal points and highlights.

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  2. Lucy Imamzade7 November 2020 at 09:10

    I found this blog very interesting and well structured. As I was in your group I found it very interesting to read your opinions on the task the challenges you personally faced. You mentioned you wanted to use this technique later in the future... do you think we could use this method within our group choreography? If so, what challenges/benefits do you think we will face?

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    1. LouisaBratby4 December 2020 at 07:36

      This would be a useful method to use in the final group choreography. I believe it could bring many interesting and abstract ideas as it guides us to use our creativity. However, one challenge it may bring is the fact that it's a time consuming task that requires all group members to be present. If for example only 2 individuals are present for a rehearsal, the choreographic method would not be as effective. This hopefully should not be too much of an issue as we would plan ahead when we would create movement material with this choreographic device.

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  3. Nanson23 November 2020 at 03:43

    You mentioned "it made us find patterns and connections that would otherwise have remained dormant." do you think coincidence is a useful tool in choreography?

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    1. LouisaBratby4 December 2020 at 07:42

      To some extend I think coincidence through improvisation is a useful choreographic tool, however I would not rely solely on this because of its unpredictability. I would prefer to use more sustainable methods that can guarantee the creating on good movement material. Inevitably, this will result in finding patterns and connections that would not have been created without the help of the method.

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