Week 3 – Key Practitioner Lesson One – 'Shape' Creative Task
Wednesday 25th September
During Lesson 3 we watched ‘In Countenance of Kings’ by
Justin Peck. We analysed his work, saying our thoughts and feelings about the
piece, whether there was a story line and movements and choreographic devices
that we recognised. We also learnt about his choreographic process to help us
choreograph a motif. Justin Peck uses drawings or sketches of geometric shapes
to help him with his choreography as he uses the shapes as formations and
pathways for the dancers.
The first part of our task was to draw a shape on a piece of
paper, which everyone drew a different shape or pattern. This was our ‘map’
which we had to follow within the choreography of our motif using the different
shapes as either movements, gestures or pathways but they had to be linked back
to the map as if we were following it. Initially I found this task quite
difficult as I wasn’t sure where to start or how to include some of the shapes,
but I got inspiration from trying to use different body parts to represent the
shapes and not try to literally recreate each shape.
For example, for ‘<<’ I did a small assemble with the
arms parallel to the legs and he repeated with a bigger jump, showing repetition
and argumentation while still showing the < shape. I showed the rectangle
shape by doing a deep plié and moved into a forward bend to represent the right
angle in a square. For a triangle I tried to show it through a sequence of
arabesques changing in direction to try and show the shape of a triangle in my
pathway. To develop my motif more I would try and include some more of the
shapes to complete the map and also try to adapt the motifs by adding some
choreographic devices such as fragmentation.
I really enjoyed the choreography you have created for this task! and I liked how you have explained in detail about the movements you performed linking to the shapes and patterns we drew as a class.
ReplyDeleteI feel within your choreography you show such fluidity through your movements and I feel all of your actions clearly link to the shapes.
would you use Justin Peck's choreographic process for your own choreography in the future? if so why ? what did you enjoy and dislike about this task?
I really liked the challenge of trying to create movement based from shapes that everyone had drawn as it was different to any other creative process I have used before! I disliked that some of the shapes were very similar and some were quite complex, making it harder to creative varied movements. I'm not sure if I'd use this method again as my chosen practitioner is Wayne McGregor. However, I may use it within my solo as I could use the shape of DNA as the starting point if I was to use this process!
DeleteI like the way you have given a reason behind each movement you included, linking it to the shapes. Do you think you'll use Justin Pecks choreographic process in your own choreography in the future? Did you enjoy this creative task?
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned in my reply to Rosabella's comment, I really liked the challenge of trying to create movement based from shapes that everyone had drawn as I had never done a task similar to that before! I am also not sure whether I would use this within my solo. However, if I was to use it, I would draw the shape and structure of DNA such as the double helix and the sugar-phosphate backbone, and use those shapes as my starting point for the movement.
DeleteI enjoyed watching your piece and trying to picture what shape each movement represened.If you were to repeat the task how could you think about the shapes differently? How could the same shape inspire a completely different movement?
ReplyDeleteIf I was to do the task again, I would try to use the shapes as pathways as well as trying to represent them directly with movement. I would also try to follow the 'map' so the shapes link together more. I could use the same shape to inspire a different movement by changing levels or use a completely different body part to do the movements, perhaps I could try to use my head to make the shape rather than my legs.
DeleteI really like how you included the picture of all the shapes and the shapes altogether were clearly shown in your phrase. Do you think you will use a similar process when it comes to creating your solo?
ReplyDeleteI'm not completely decided on whether I would use this within my solo as my chosen practitioner is Wayne McGregor and this isn't one of his processes. However, if I was to use it, I would draw the shape and structure of DNA such as the double helix and the sugar-phosphate backbone, and use those shapes as my starting point for the movement.
DeleteYour interpretation of the shapes were so interesting and you conveyed your thought process really well in this post.
ReplyDeleteIf you were to carry on this task, could you give an example of how you would use the choreographic device fragmentation with another shape?
As I have already repeated the arabesque near the beginning, I might try to use fragmentation and include the arm placement somewhere else within the piece. Or I could try and use the circular arm movement shown within the first shape and add that onto another movement such as the grand plie.
DeleteThis is a great start! Was the task successful? Why?
ReplyDeleteI think this task was successful as I was able to create a motif following the map. Additionally, from feedback I have been given, the different shapes I made with my body could be easily recognised from the shape map. This means that the intention of the task has been shown through the piece I managed to create.
DeleteYou have included great detail about how you recreated each movement with different parts of your body.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have projected all the movements clearly and as a viewer I can see every shape you make. Moreover, you have made every movement fluid and flow into the next continiously.
What did you find tricky about choreographing this piece? Or did you find this a process that works for you?
Initially I found it difficult to be creative with each different shape, however after a few minutes the movement became a lot more natural as I tried different ways to represent the shapes with different body parts and incorporating different travelling steps. I did find that this process works for me as it gave me structure and enabled me to have a guide to follow and create the movement to.
Delete