Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

Limitations

2008-04-14T20:11:00.001-07:00

An Argentine in Paris

2008-03-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

So I just returned from the City of Light, and made this amazing discovery. Apparently the city is full of tango lovers as the Place Tino Rossi (5th Arrondisement), a square on the right bank of the Seine turns into a dance floor every night from May through September. Tango is often performed there as well as other dances. Too bad I was there in March. This kind of communal experience makes dance a joy that is accessible to everyone. How great would this be for Fountain Square in Cincinnati during the summer? C'est tres chic n'est ce pas?

I Love Bach in the Mornings

2008-02-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UGufiv5PB2A

This video is my morning coffee!

I Want My Tutu Back

2008-01-27T21:12:00.000-08:00

www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/arts/dance/27laro.html?ref=arts

Here is an interesting New York Times article about the movement in the ballet world from large elaborate sets and tutus to more scaled down costuming and stage design. The article seems to insinuate that a choice must be made between a more traditional ballet design versus a contemporary style. I think that it is quite possible for companies to use both styles pleasing conservative boards while pushing the art form forward. The other result of using both styles of visual artistry is that varying movement qualities result. So much of the movement quality can be dictated through the costuming, as I explored in my choreographic piece Limitations. In working with my dancers I was truly fascinated by just how much costuming can either free or limit dance, while adding another layer to audience's visual feast.

Another interesting point that the article makes is that European ballet companies have used more contemporary design than American companies as result of a blending with modern dance. Perhaps this is why companies such as Stuttgart Ballet have been so creatively forward in recent years. However, American companies such as Joffrey and Alonzo King's Lines have followed this trend as well.

It's truly magical when artists can combine their talents though they comes from different styles such as modern and ballet, or even different artistic mediums all together. Some of Rochas designer, Olivier Theyskens best work came from wardrobes inspired by the work of Monet. I think this synergistic energy can only add to the dance world as well.

Conversations

2008-01-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

I love partnering in the sense that it is like a conversation, a brief encounter with another being. Movement fluency is something we can all aspire to. The language of dance is incredibly overlooked. Unfortunately the American education system places their entire emphasis on math and linguistic skills. This is problematic when some communication experts estimate that 80% of communication is nonverbal. So when I'm done speaking in words, I dance.

In other news I'm totally in love with Alonzo King's Lines company. Too bad they won't be in San Francisco during my next visit there.

Nacho Duato

2008-01-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

I've been watching Three By Duato during this holiday weekend, and feeling very inspired. Choreographer, Nacho Duato creates three highly conceptual ballets, and puts them into a compilation DVD. The first ballet Arsenal is set to Spanish music with a folkloric feel. This ballet is full of earthy sensuality. The second ballet Duende is set to Debussy, one of my favorite composers. Duende makes me feel like a woodland fairy caught in an impressionist dream. The final ballet For You I Die is inspired by dances of Renaissance courts from long ago. Duato brings up the fascinating point that during those times dance was for socialization, and a building of community rather than performance. I'm excited about exploring this concept further. I'm so excited to make more pieces that celebrate community, and classes than inspire that original spirit of dance. What a great start to a new year!

Carlos Saura Films

2007-08-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been spending evenings watching Carlos Saura films. These wonderfully directed films examine the spirit of dance. His films Flamenco and Salome are both depictions of flamenco dancing. Flamenco takes place in a train station and emphasizes the technique of dance. I just love the guajira dance piece in the film. Guajira is a style of flamenco that originated in Cuba, and involves use of elaborate costumes, fans and a flirtacious style of dancing. Other highlights in the film include the always fiery and passionate performance of Joaquin Cortes, and the beautiful costuming used in the alegrias dance.

Salome emphasizes storytelling, recounting the Biblical story of Kind Herod and his stepdaughter Salome. Salome veers a bit from traditional flamenco dance, as many of the dancers seemed to have a strong ballet background as well. It was the perfect postmodern fusion of the two respective dance styles.

Next I'm looking forward to viewing a different style of dance in another Carlos Saura film, Tango.