Week 9 - Choreographers Piece #2
For this choreographer piece I decided to look at Wolf Works Corps choreographed by Wayne McGregor. I found this piece very very chaotic and busy due to the frantic music and the patterns/pathways of the dancers, for example at the beginning of the dance piece the dancers, in pairs, move diagonally across the floor while other duets join in from different angles and directions which confuses the audience. In addition there are many leg and arm extensions from different positions and levels this helps create very abstract movements while still keeping it classical and I think that is Wayne McGregors style, exploring the mixture of ballet and contemporary, which in my options is becoming very popular in today’s industry.
The dynamics differ throughout the piece, for example some movements are very soft and subtitle, an example of this would be a developpe or a body gesture, however some moments juxtapose that by them being shape and direct e.g kick.
Infra is genuinely more soft and gentle in comparison to Wolf Works Corps however they both incorporate an element of dynamics. They also are very balletic with a hint of contemporary dance this allows the dancers to use their classical technique however also explore with freedom and levels. There are also continues leg extensions which is shown throughout both pierces.
Wayne McGregor was inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf, with each of the three acts being inspired by a different landmark novel, these novels consist of; Mr Dallaway, Orlando and The Wave. In additions his choreography and meaning behind this dance was also inspired by her letters, essays and diaries. He quotes “ Life is not a series of gig-lamps symmetrically arranged; life is aluminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding is from the beginning of consciousness to the end” This gave me ( the reader) a very clear understanding of the meaning behind his choreography and it also shows the passions within his work ethic.
This work impacts the audience due to there being a storyline behind each of the acts allowing the audience to connect with the dancers. I’m addition If you have read all the story’s (Mr Dalloway, Orlando and The waves) linking to each act, you would be able to reference and identify similarities within the piece, this will not only make the story mchb clearer to the audience however they will become very sentimental to the dance due to them already having a relationship with the book. This will further allow the audience to experience not only the book itself but how it could come to life and have a different interpretation. Overall by the performance as a whole being inspired by each book, it allows the audience to leave the theatre with a relationship with not only the book however the dance side of it also.
Infra in my opinion is very intricate and delicate as they look and use each other is a very polite manner for example every lift is doing smoothly and they are very gentle with each other when it come to the partner work. This shows the audience how they are feeling and the expressions behind their movements, however, Wolf Works Corps is much more chaotic which allows the audience to interpret the dancers emotions differently allowing a wide range of ideas and debate.
Bibliography:
https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/woolf-works-by-wayne-mcgregor
these photos show not only the contact work however the group peice as a whole
The dynamics differ throughout the piece, for example some movements are very soft and subtitle, an example of this would be a developpe or a body gesture, however some moments juxtapose that by them being shape and direct e.g kick.
Infra is genuinely more soft and gentle in comparison to Wolf Works Corps however they both incorporate an element of dynamics. They also are very balletic with a hint of contemporary dance this allows the dancers to use their classical technique however also explore with freedom and levels. There are also continues leg extensions which is shown throughout both pierces.
Wayne McGregor was inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf, with each of the three acts being inspired by a different landmark novel, these novels consist of; Mr Dallaway, Orlando and The Wave. In additions his choreography and meaning behind this dance was also inspired by her letters, essays and diaries. He quotes “ Life is not a series of gig-lamps symmetrically arranged; life is aluminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding is from the beginning of consciousness to the end” This gave me ( the reader) a very clear understanding of the meaning behind his choreography and it also shows the passions within his work ethic.
This work impacts the audience due to there being a storyline behind each of the acts allowing the audience to connect with the dancers. I’m addition If you have read all the story’s (Mr Dalloway, Orlando and The waves) linking to each act, you would be able to reference and identify similarities within the piece, this will not only make the story mchb clearer to the audience however they will become very sentimental to the dance due to them already having a relationship with the book. This will further allow the audience to experience not only the book itself but how it could come to life and have a different interpretation. Overall by the performance as a whole being inspired by each book, it allows the audience to leave the theatre with a relationship with not only the book however the dance side of it also.
Infra in my opinion is very intricate and delicate as they look and use each other is a very polite manner for example every lift is doing smoothly and they are very gentle with each other when it come to the partner work. This shows the audience how they are feeling and the expressions behind their movements, however, Wolf Works Corps is much more chaotic which allows the audience to interpret the dancers emotions differently allowing a wide range of ideas and debate.
Bibliography:
https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/woolf-works-by-wayne-mcgregor
these photos show not only the contact work however the group peice as a whole
I really like how you have given your personal opinion as well as the affect on the audience as a whole, and the background information you have given on the piece is clear and useful to the reader. Did you like the changes in dynamic throughout the piece and if so why were they effective?
ReplyDeleteI do like the changes of dynamic within his work as I feel as though they add volume and value to his work. I think it is also very engaging from a audiences point of view to be able to differentiate the difference in dynamics.
DeleteYou have written a very detailed blog. Maybe next time the inclusion of photos or video clips may help to illustrate your points, for example the abstract shapes made by the dancers. Do you think the audience would understand the work if they hadn't read the books?
ReplyDeleteYes, I think Wayne McGregor creates a clear story line throughout his work to ensure all audiences understands the story behind it. However I think its beneficial if you have already read some of Virginia Woolf's work.
DeleteI love how much detail you have gone into about the movement in this work. However, how do the two pieces differ in terms of costumes and set? For example, are there any props on stage?
ReplyDeleteThe costume and set are very similar, for example there is minimal set with dark staging, and they are in very basic clothing, for example nude shirts and shorts. Wayne McGregor has done this to insure the audiences main focus is not on the set however the movement its self .
DeleteYou have included some interesting points discussing McGregor's piece, however, I would like you to go into further detail when analysing and comparing the piece to other works. In your view, what do you think the piece trying to communicate or say to its audience? Do you think the piece was successful - were there any parts you liked/disliked? In comparison to your first critical analysis, can you notice any similarities between the two pieces? Please expand your analysis by discussing how the emotion and dynamic/ intention differed? Overall a well presented critical analysis.
ReplyDeleteI think this piece is trying to portray the emotions and story behind the novels by his inspired author. I think this piece was very successful, I liked the use of group work and how they interact and use contact work. Infra is genuinely more soft and gentle in comparison to Wolf Works Corps however they both incorporate an element of dynamics. They also are very balletic with a hint of contemporary dance this allows the dancers to use their classical technique however also explore with freedom and levels. There are also continues leg extensions which is shown throughout both pieces. I feel although this performance was much ore intense and chaotic n comparison to Infra which is a lot more calm and balletic.
Delete