Week 8:

 Week 8:

This week we focused on the sections that include our sticks: the ending of Coming Together and the Countdown.  Before starting, we watch "Sutra" by Sidilarbi to give us a starting point for our movement. The skilled Monks inspired our ideas as we seek to move with the same control.

We decided to use sticks as props as it helps the audience visualise the world we are trying to create.  They are used to represent guns, barbed wire and barriers to cross before going into battle.  In addition, they are a way for us to include some form of contact work with the current COVID restrictions. They add an extension to our group patterns and symmetry as well as sharp dynamics and sound effects. Our stick work aims to display skill, control and unity as we navigate them into our movements, giving the impression of mastery... but this will only heighten the contrasting impact war has on the best of bodies. Repetition is used at the start and end of the Coming Together section as we bang our hands to the floor and later do the same with our sticks.  This demonstrates the development in our training as we prepare to leave for war.

We also began choreographing the Chaos and War section. It is high powered and unexpected.  We achieve this by the whole group starting in slow motion, before feeding into a quick, dynamic and unexpected motif full of off-balance throws, transfers of weight and height changes. To add more power and strength, we use accumulation to insert the dancers in. The contrast of the movements adds to the suspense and climax of the piece. 

Again we performed our new choreography to the rest of our class and received some useful feedback. The general improvement was to clarify everything; moving at the same time, body and sticks. This will come with time and practice. Our peers found the starting section of Countdown very effective as we created a huddle that leans away from an individual, like a repelling magnet, to briefly spotlight how they are feeling before battle - movements included panicked heavy breathing, marking the sign of the cross and kissing a picture of a loved one. These small gestures are brought into focus as there is little other movement taking place.



End of Coming Together (section 2):


                                            Start of Countdown (section 3):



End of Countdown:



                                                         Beginning of War/Chaos (section 4):


Referencing:

Sutra (2012) Vimeo video, added by Ojos Alargados [Online]. Available at https://vimeo.com/40664952 [Accessed 14th November 2020].



Comments

  1. rosabella murphy27 November 2020 at 02:28

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  2. Nanson29 November 2020 at 08:54

    Very well written blog Louisa. how do you think the use of acoustics with the sticks effects or piece?

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    Replies
    1. LouisaBratby4 December 2020 at 08:53

      I think they bring forth a more literal performance. The stick acoustics combined with the counting Nathan does in the Marching section makes our overall piece seem more realistic- resulting in increasing the emotional impact of the whole dance.

      Delete
  3. Lucy Imamzade4 December 2020 at 00:12

    This is an excellent blog Louisa, well done! Did you personally find it challenging choreographing with props? If so, how did you overcome this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LouisaBratby4 December 2020 at 09:43

      It has been very challenging having to move and dance with a long prop, something non of use had used before. Instead of deciding to forget the idea, we are continuously taking the time to slowly find ways to move with our sticks. This is an on going process we hope will result in increasing our message and stimulus.

      Delete

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