CRITICAL REVIEW OF DANCE PIECE 1
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lju0oiiffam5rut/AABKDV5jnaU_xNFLVve7DttGa?dl=0&preview=Pite+1+-+Flight+Pattern.MP4.m4v
Flight pattern conveys the refugee crisis through themes of desperation and separation. Pite's piece starts off with a solo, there's a woman on stage sitting holding a bundle which represents a baby. The spotlight draws attention to her and further highlights her movements in contrast to the dark stage. She is hunched over the bundle in a defensive way that shows she is very protective and this exemplifies a mothers love for her child. This initial display of affection contextualises the narrative for later on in the piece and shows how devastating it is to be separated from your child. The lighting choice makes the dancer seems so much smaller in comparison to the large dark space around her which could signify how many hardships and struggles that refugees face and how they have to experience the unknown.
When the woman dropped the bundle, I as a spectator did not anticipate this and the unexpected plot twist just demonstrates the harsh reality of life as a refugee. She is so stricken with grief over the loss of her child that she is unstable on her feet and has to be caught by the man. This perhaps conveys how the refugees had to rely on each other as they had no one else to rely on during the humanitarian crisis. During the pas de deux, the woman reaches out both her arms as if she's reaching towards the lost child; What makes this gesture so emotional is that she uses her whole body to reach not just her arms and this truly portrays how the loss of a child can affect a mother. This piece of choreography can particularly affect mothers as they can all relate to how much they love their children.
Another gesture that is used in this section is both forearms in front of the face in a parallel position. This is quite a defensive position that would typically be used if you were being attacked. One could correlate this to how the refugees were forcibly displaced from their countries and were left to defend themselves. This gesture not only shows how they had to protect themselves but also the vulnerability they had which creates an emotive atmosphere. Later on the woman is held by the man bridal style, again showing that he is completely carrying her weight and displaying reliance among them when put in a situation like this. During the pas de deux, all movements were fluid and continuous- the dancers never stopped, always moving but never arriving. This could be considered a parallel to the refugees' relentless search for peace.
The costumes were fitting for the piece as they were appropriate for the theme however they didn't draw attention away from the dance itself. It also reflected the simple materials that refugees had to utilise. In terms of lighting it doesn't really change, there's just a general darkness surrounding the dancers that could be considered as quite overwhelming. This could be linked to the inconceivable fear of the unknown and the uncertainty that clouded the future of those refugees. Overall I thought that Pite incorporated many elements and aspects regarding the humanitarian crisis that really added a sense of reality to the piece.
References
Concern Worldwide. (2019). What is the Rohingya refugee crisis?. [online] Available at: https://www.concern.org.uk/news/what-rohingya-refugee-crisis?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNXtBRC6ARIsAIPP7RsFiaRzFSaOYsbBym0KqX2aLGvRWqbvmPax80b1pz_htLeGk6kyRGUaAk2wEALw_wcB [Accessed 27 Oct. 2019].
Youtube.com. (2019). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrNfZ6pCn9M [Accessed 27 Oct. 2019].
Flight pattern conveys the refugee crisis through themes of desperation and separation. Pite's piece starts off with a solo, there's a woman on stage sitting holding a bundle which represents a baby. The spotlight draws attention to her and further highlights her movements in contrast to the dark stage. She is hunched over the bundle in a defensive way that shows she is very protective and this exemplifies a mothers love for her child. This initial display of affection contextualises the narrative for later on in the piece and shows how devastating it is to be separated from your child. The lighting choice makes the dancer seems so much smaller in comparison to the large dark space around her which could signify how many hardships and struggles that refugees face and how they have to experience the unknown.
When the woman dropped the bundle, I as a spectator did not anticipate this and the unexpected plot twist just demonstrates the harsh reality of life as a refugee. She is so stricken with grief over the loss of her child that she is unstable on her feet and has to be caught by the man. This perhaps conveys how the refugees had to rely on each other as they had no one else to rely on during the humanitarian crisis. During the pas de deux, the woman reaches out both her arms as if she's reaching towards the lost child; What makes this gesture so emotional is that she uses her whole body to reach not just her arms and this truly portrays how the loss of a child can affect a mother. This piece of choreography can particularly affect mothers as they can all relate to how much they love their children.
Another gesture that is used in this section is both forearms in front of the face in a parallel position. This is quite a defensive position that would typically be used if you were being attacked. One could correlate this to how the refugees were forcibly displaced from their countries and were left to defend themselves. This gesture not only shows how they had to protect themselves but also the vulnerability they had which creates an emotive atmosphere. Later on the woman is held by the man bridal style, again showing that he is completely carrying her weight and displaying reliance among them when put in a situation like this. During the pas de deux, all movements were fluid and continuous- the dancers never stopped, always moving but never arriving. This could be considered a parallel to the refugees' relentless search for peace.
The costumes were fitting for the piece as they were appropriate for the theme however they didn't draw attention away from the dance itself. It also reflected the simple materials that refugees had to utilise. In terms of lighting it doesn't really change, there's just a general darkness surrounding the dancers that could be considered as quite overwhelming. This could be linked to the inconceivable fear of the unknown and the uncertainty that clouded the future of those refugees. Overall I thought that Pite incorporated many elements and aspects regarding the humanitarian crisis that really added a sense of reality to the piece.
References
Concern Worldwide. (2019). What is the Rohingya refugee crisis?. [online] Available at: https://www.concern.org.uk/news/what-rohingya-refugee-crisis?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNXtBRC6ARIsAIPP7RsFiaRzFSaOYsbBym0KqX2aLGvRWqbvmPax80b1pz_htLeGk6kyRGUaAk2wEALw_wcB [Accessed 27 Oct. 2019].
Youtube.com. (2019). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrNfZ6pCn9M [Accessed 27 Oct. 2019].
I like how you have really developed your personal interpretations on the dance, as its something I didn't think about as an audience member! What decisions led you to choose this specific choreographer?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how you clearly analysed all the movements such as the gestures used in the forearms. Again, you expanded this further into your personal explanation.
Throughout your blogs, I can see a vast amount of improvement!
Thank you so much! I felt most drawn to Pite because of her creative process and also the types of pieces she choreographs. She is able find beauty in the darkest of places and I honestly find that so inspiring.
DeleteYour explanation along with your personal interpretation is very insightful and I can clearly see why you have chosen Pite to focus on. As you spoke about Pite's use of gesture, would you consider including gestures such as those in your choreography?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYes definitely, I feel that a simple gesture can be even more meaningful than a big movement. It will help me convey specific ideas that can't be shown through movement.
This is a brilliant critical analysis of ‘Flight Pattern’. Your response is detailed and well thought out, giving the reader a clear and descriptive review of the piece. For further development, using other resources, consider what other ideas may have been discussed (please reference). In your opinion, was the piece successful? Do you think the purpose of the piece came across successfully as an audience? How did it make you feel when watching? Please link the video within the post.
ReplyDeleteThank you! In another blog post someone said "I personally think that the idea of the dancers relying on each other, once more highlights the choreographic intention, emotions and the idea of using humanitarian issues as stimuli". (Stormide.blogspot.com, 2019) I do agree with this as this stimulus was very effective.
DeleteI feel that the piece was successful as it clearly showed the stimulus and I found it easy to understand. It made me feel quite strongly about the stimulus and evoke many emotions, therefore it was effective.