Week 11 - Dance Piece 3
Discuss, critique and review this dance piece:
The movement of this choreography piece is a combination of both ballet and contemporary much like other dance pieces I liked at previously choreographed by Wayne McGregor (Infra, Wolf Works) I would say that this piece is very abstract and delicate due to its unusual music and movements, for example the music is very repetitive and had a basic and simple rhythm to it, however this is juxtaposed through the abstract and creative are arm movements which is continued throughout the whole choreography piece. I also found this piece - Genus Variation- focusing mainly on the contemporary style of dance in comparison to the ballet/ contemporary style (neo-classical) thats is round throughout all his choreographic pieces. I found this very interesting due to Wayne McGregor’s main focus point being the neo-classical style. However I feel although the audience will gather a unexpected reaction allowing them to create and form and new opinion and relationship with the choreographer himself.
Can you see any differences in movement style, dynamics and intentions between three pieces?
The movement style was again a combination of both ballet and contemporary allowing there to be masses of versatility with the movements Wayne McGregor could use.
I found a slight difference in dynamics from the ‘Genus Variation’ and Infra/Wolf Works for example there was much sharper dynamics within the Gunus Variation from not only the leg movements however the arm movements also. I feel as though this is due to this piece focusing on the contemporary style where as the other dance works (Infra and Wolf Works) being a focus on the collaboration of ballet and contemporary. Another difference between these choreographic between these choreography pieces is that this piece- Venus Variation- is a male solo in comparison to a group dance, this doesn’t allow any pointe work to be included and/or contact work. Some people may say that this makes it less exciting and engaging to the audience. However, Wayne McGregor has used abstract movements within this solo, maybe something the suffice has never seen before, making it just as impressive and enjoyable as the other two dance pieces I have previously looked at.
In addition, Infra’s intention was to express the idea of walking pass thousands of people everyday and not knowing what they are going through or not knowing anyone’s story/journey . In addition Wolf Works intentions were to bring Virginia Woolf’s books and diaries to life, expressing the idea of artistic life discovering a freer and more unique realism to life. Genus Varition contrasts this due to its intention was expressing the idea of creation and revolution inspired by Charles Darwin himself.
Can you evaluate the choreographers point of view?
Wayne McGregor had a obsession and interest with science so throughout his work piece he was inspired by Charles Darwin’s On The Origin Of Species. His point of view was also looking at ballet vocabulary specifically and how that can morph into many movements and phrases.
How did this impact the audience?
This had a massive impact on the audience but also the dance industry due to it expanding the knowledge of science is art form allowing it to express and allow new ideas to form allowing the audience to ask the questions: what does this portray and why is this happening?
Can you tell the difference in the process between all three pieces?
A difference would definitely be the quantity of people on stage, for example with Infra there is a duet which is later joined by many other duets and with Wolf Works it’s a group dnace, whereas Venus is a solo allowing the audience to focus on the male dancer himself instead of being distracted by the other dancers in the background.
A similarity would definitely be I found all lighting and costumes very similar throughout all three dance pieces I have looked at, this is due to Wayne McGregor wanting them the audience to focus on the dancers themselves rather than getting distracted by the lighting and setting. In addition they are all very abstract to the audience allowing them to not only see an amazing performance however maybe a new experience widening their knowledge on the dance industry.
Bibliography:
https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/woolf-works-by-wayne-mcgregor - further Wolf Works Knowledge
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/nycdancestuff.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/wayne-mcgregors-genus-extracts-with-film-installation/amp/ - Genus research
These pictures show the light and set of the piece and also the sharp dynamic arm movements
As you mentioned that pieces of McGregor's works have different quantities of dancers, which do you feel McGregor works best with, large groups, duets or solos?
ReplyDeleteI feel although Wayne McGregor works best with groups as it allows new ideas and more possibilities, especially due to there being multiple dancers. He has also previously said that he likes working with mainly principle dancers, this allows more professionalism when it comes to improvisation especially (Wayne McGregors choreographic process)
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog Lucy, I wondered what piece by McGregor interested you the most and why?
ReplyDeleteInfra defiantly interested me the most due to the contact work and the use of different levels throughout his piece. I found it the most intriguing especially due to me knowing past information due to my learning about this dance in depth for me GCSE.
DeleteYou have produced a very well developed post that is structured very clearly. It was very interesting to read your thoughts and ideas about this piece. Well done.
ReplyDeleteDo you personally prefer the contemporary ballet pieces Wayne McGregor creates? What is the contrasting effect this genre creates compared to classical ballet?
I do love watching classical ballet as it it every expressive and impressive however with the contemporary and ballet combination, I find it very intriguing to look at how balletic movements can be changed and adapted into versatile movements. Its contrasting effect would defiantly be levels, what I mean by this is the neo-classical styles tat is portrayed throughout Wayne McGregor's work allows floor work to be involved and being juxtaposed by the pointe work or the jumps. This is something you cannot find in classical ballet.
DeleteExcellent work! Your detailed critical analysis shows clear understanding of McGregor alongside his choreographic work. Was the piece successful, how did it make you feel? Do you think the purpose of the piece came across successfully as an audience? Was there any parts you liked/ disliked? Why? Reflecting back at all three pieces, which piece was your favourite and why? Can you notice any similarities between each of the three pieces?
ReplyDeleteI think the piece was very successful due to me never seeing anything like this before much like his audience, I feel although this create and sparks an interest within the audience making them want to watch all his pieces. I felt very involved with the choreography sue to Wayne McGregor adding moments of stillness and eye contact, this is something I have been corrected on during my studio performance and it's nice to see an example as it show me how effective it is. I do feel although the purpose of the piece came across to the audience due to the dancer using great facial expressions to really tell and navigate the story. There was defiantly nothing I disliked throughout the whole piece due to Wayne McGregor really playing on his abstract idea allowing really really creative movements to be invented which really intrigued me as a viewer. My favorite piece we looked at was defiantly Infra due to it really over exaggerating the idea of the ballet/contemporary style through out the piece, in addition I also had a background when watching this due to me studying this in my GCSE dance. A difference would definitely be the quantity of people on stage, for example with Infra there is a duet which is later joined by many other duets and with Wolf Works it’s a group dance, whereas Venus is a solo allowing the audience to focus on the male dancer himself instead of being distracted by the other dancers in the background.
DeleteA similarity would definitely be I found all lighting and costumes very similar throughout all three dance pieces I have looked at, this is due to Wayne McGregor wanting them the audience to focus on the dancers themselves rather than getting distracted by the lighting and setting. In addition they are all very abstract to the audience allowing them to not only see an amazing performance however maybe a new experience widening their knowledge on the dance industry.