Choreography for Solo Performance (MU40370O)

 Akram Khan -  Lee.S (2019) 'The body is the most truthful and most direct way of saying things because it is the most primal.' [Online] The Guardian, Available at -  Akram Khan: ‘My children have forced me to look at the future’ | Akram Khan | The Guardian , Accessed: 17/10/21.   ’ I have chosen practitioner Akram Khan to influence my choreography. Akram Khan, is a highly renowned choreographer and dancer, born in 1974, London, Wimbledon. (Slanders, 2003) However Khan is of Bangladesh Heritage, and was taught Bengali Folk dance by his mother. (Slanders, 2003) Age seven Khan began Kathak a classical dance style from north India an evident influence in his works. (Roy, 2009) He is also influenced by pop culture of the time as he would often practice to popstars such as Michael Jackson on the Tv. (Roy, 2009) This results in his eclectic fusion of styles.  Critics would often call his work 'Contemporary Kathak' as it combined multiple theatrical elements with stron...

Discuss Your Stimulus -  The stimulus image I was most drawn to was image number three as shown below. It depicts the image of a elegant lady behind a glass full of water. There are clear reflections and distorted linear angles in the image with monochrome tones running throughout. My first initial feelings and thoughts were how everything appears 'normal' and glamourous on the surface but with the contrast of the distorted, harsh lines and dark tones it almost gives the feeling of something sinister. I really liked the many contrasts within this image with the sharp lines in juxtaposition to the liquid state of the water, and how this could be translated in the body through movement. For example one movement of the arm could be a sharp slice whilst the leg could be performing a slow sustained rand de jambe at the same time creating interesting dynamic movement. I also really liked the use of the reflection in the image and how I could use this device in my choreography to comm...

To influence our solo choreography we began looking at practitioner Wayne McGregor. McGregor himself is obsessed with the technology of the body and when choreographing uses the dancers as objects to think with. (TED Talks, 2012) He likes to use the phrase 'misbehaving beautifully' (TED Talks, 2012) which I think is a great way to express how as dancers we must avoid creating pieces that follow conventions and challenge our usual movement habits. (Welcome Collection, 2014) When creating movement McGregor likes to ask ask the dancers questions such as if you were to think of a certain colour how would this effect the movement of the body? I think this is a great way to add layers to the movement and is something that really helps me if I get stuck creating movement. (TED Talks, 2012) A great thinking tool McGregor also uses when choreographing is visualising imagery. Thinking of the image in your mind and translating that into movement in the body, we began to use this technique...

First Initial Thoughts after watching the piece -  In The Countenance of Kings is a short film, choreography by Justin Pecks, with music by Sufjan Stevens. Throughout the piece the dancers seem unaware of the camera, as they never appear to look directly into the camera lens. There is a good use of camera angles, close ups and quick cuts, that allow us to see into what seems to be the mind and thoughts of one of the dancers. The piece begins with a female dancer lying on the studio floor, she is wearing a classical leotard, tights, and point shoes. She appears to look exhausted after a long day of training. We see her slowly sit up as the camera zooms into a close up of her face. She caresses her face in disbelief as the camera cuts to the mirror to see another girl staring back at her in the reflection. The reflection lets her hair down and appears to be wearing a different colour leotard and trainers. This could suggest a more relaxed free version of the girl and maybe how she wo...