Every now and then I go through 'phases' of tidying up and today it's the 'art' folder on the computer's turn to be harassed. In amongst it was some early research for a series I'd titled 'Sarabande'. Whilst looking around for some background info I came across a 'language' that I wasn't aware of in the form of dance notation. They are fascinating to look at as they feel so alien.
Prior to one fateful night in front of a TV in 1990-something I wasn't a big fan of modern dance. It always looked so overcooked, obscure and overly expressionistic.
TV1 (I think) screened a dance-video collaboration which put various choreographers together with filmmakers. Amongst the pieces was one from (and danced by) Douglas Wright which blew my mind - this might have been Elegy but not so sure any more.
Admittedly there was a lot of sign language involved but there was something about the drama and effort in the work that impressed me at the time.
Later I saw another piece he'd choreographed in person (I think it was Forever) and since then I have really enjoyed falling into the spectacle.
I think much of the appeal rests in the physical accomplishment of doing such things with a human body. The beauty of body lines as they move in and out of the space between various players.
I've also realised that often I'm more interested in the movements - the joints - between major pressure points. That is, how the dancers get from one position to the next.
This is a classical example:
I can't find much of Douglas actually dancing other than this from DV8 where he did a stint in the late 80s. This piece is called Dead dreams of monochrome men and is split over 11 parts.
Just as a bit of a side note: he - together with other dancers - was also photographed by Christine Webster whose Black Carnival made a bit of an impression on me while I was studying.
I was lucky enough to be invited to a performance of Black Watch tonight at the Perth Convention Centre - a stunning piece of theatre.
The ensemble was slightly different from that in the video with the narrator in particular being some how more relaxed.
I really enjoyed the physical, almost dance-like aspect of the choreography. There are two scenes in particular where this is very effective - the fight and the letters.
The later - shown in part in the video - involved the actors entering the stage one-by-one and collecting a pile of letters from the hand of the man before him. They then search through the pile for their letter, open it and after a short time let it float to the ground.
Each starts performing what looks like sign language although it could just be gestural movements more akin to dance. What is interesting about this is the idea of coding. It creates a private sphere where a personal emotional moment is physically manifested but at the same time 'hidden' - ie. ignorance of the language on our behalf.
The detail of the introspection is abstracted in that the men themselves are completely ambigiously presented in stance and expression - ie. flat.
Any expression is quiet and it reminded me of the silent hand signals used to direct other soldiers - these actions being instead inwardly projected.
I was in a bird's eye seat and by the expressions of the faces on those at floor level it must be quite confronting that close.
Highly recommended although language WILL offend a lot of people (think Trainspotting ironically enough on speed) and the noise was occassionally overwhelming in volume. The explosions are also not for the weak hearted.
It runs through to February 17.
See the NTS website for more detail on the troupe.
29022008 Update: ABC's Sunday Arts looked at NTS and the video of the show is available to download from their site.
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