Blog Post Nine - Continued Creative Development

The structure of the solo is cyclical as I decided to use retrograde at the end to repeat the significant beginning motif at the end of the piece. I consciously choose to structure the solo like this as when researching further into body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), I was able to understand with more clarity, how this never really goes away. Common treatment for BDD is cognitive behavioral therapy which is a type of talking therapy in which you can challenge the way you think and behave. (NHS, 2020) An addition to this can be a type of antidepressant. However this is an ongoing condition that you have to somewhat learn to control.



The first section of our piece is about exploring our body and being very inside our own minds about how we perceive ourselves. The movements at this point are very enclosed and minimal, there is a contrasting use of dynamic that works with and against the rhythm of the music to emphasise the beauty on the outside but business of the controlling thoughts within the mind. For the section of movement linked below, I wanted to youse a contrast of dynamic within the body such as the slow ronde e jambe of the leg with the sharp impulse of the hand covering the face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz5MOQVLhPQ  

The second section of the solo is exploring the build up of compulsive thoughts controlling the mind on the perception we have of our self's. The movement begins to become more expressive and outwards. As you can see in the link below a significant movement I wanted to include was the chene turns with the hands clasped around the head, the weight transferring from side to side making the head appear heavy, to emphasise the heavy weight of having to carry around all the impulsive thoughts that can be uncontrollable for someone with BDD. At the end of this section of movement I reach out whilst kneeling down and clench the fists wist coming into a contraction to symbolise the desire to re claim the control of thoughts that are spiraling the mind. 

1 December 2021 - YouTube 

Section three is exploring themes of morphing the muscles and body to fit what we think we want to be perceived as. The movement I created involved lost of contractions and use of the hands to emphasise certain body parts that we want to change. For example in the link below There is a point in which I slowly bring the hands up the body from a crouched positions to delicately frame the face. From further research I have found the face commonly appears to be a body part people with BDD want to change or struggle with perceiving (NHS, 2020) and throughout the solo importance of the face being framed and emphasised with the hands is something I have consciously repeated a lot. 

1 December 2021 - YouTube

A movement phrase I took inspiration from practitioner Akram Khan can be seen in the link below. I used a contrast of smooth and direct dynamics, in addition to accumulation to emphasise the movement. Inspired by Khan I added quick changes of direction with a juxtaposition of soft arms to emphasise the reaching gesture to communicate the theme of morphing the body.

December 2021 - YouTube

Section four repeats the beginning motif in retrograde to emphasize the ongoing mental health condition. The movement changes drastically from very fast and explosive to clam and sustained minimal movements.

References - 

- NHS (2020), Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Accessed: 01/12/2021

Bibliography - 

- NHS (2020), Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Accessed: 01/12/2021

- Krebs G, et al. (2017) Long-term outcomes of cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescent body dysmorphic disorder, Volume 48, Issue 4, Accessed - 01/12/2021








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