Artificial Things Flashcards
(24 cards)
Who choreographed Artificial Things?
Lucy Bennet
Which company performed Artificial Things?
Stopgap
When did Artificial Things premiere?
2014
What dance style is Artificial Things?
inclusive contemporary
What is the choreographic approach to Artificial Things?
collaborative - material developed from Jones’ movement in wheelchair
What are the stimuli in Artificial Things?
image of isolated figure perched on collapsed wheelchair as if in snow globe, paintings by Serbian artist Goran Djurovic, dancers personal experiences
How many dancers are there in Artificial Things?
4
What is the structure of Artificial Things?
S1 - underlying tension
S2 - seeking liberation
S3 - aftermath of tragedy where dancers are pensive
What is the performance environment of Artificial Things?
proscenium arch
What are the choreographic intentions of Artificial Things?
- coming to terms with lifes limitations & living in certain confinements
- finding resolution by coming together
- surrendering to the fact we are all living with individual regrets
What actions are there in Dave & Lauras opening duet in Artificial Things?
sit
reach
pull
stare
embrace
drop
What space is there in Dave & Lauras opening duet in Artificial Things?
low level
toward audience
dave travels from USL to DSR to meet Laura DSR
close proximity
What dynamics are there in Dave & Lauras opening duet in Artificial Things?
delicate
slow
tender
gentle
What relationships are there in Dave & Lauras opening duet in Artificial Things?
contact
manipulation
lead & follow
complementary
What is the meaning of Dave & Lauras opening duet in Artificial Things?
- characters are pensive & reflective, emotions of loss & isolation as Laura begins on her own, alienated from group
- connection between the 2 is felt, supportive over dismantled wheelchair
- pauses & stares to create a filmic atmosphere
What motifs are there in Artificial Things?
- opening duet
- Dave’s solo - hands rubbing against each other - memories of shuffling cards
- unison of textures - high attitude legs, sharp circles, dropping & rippling
What motif & development is there in Artificial Things?
- arm circles created by Laura are enlarged by Amy & David & created on a mid-high level
- embellishment of leg attitudes & rolls by able bodied dancers echoes patterns & actions by Laura
How is choreographic intent realised in Artificial Things?
- coming to terms with lifes limitations - in opening, dancers move slowly, tenderly, as if pensive & reflective
- find resolution - dancers come together in unified series of tableaux, also communicating idea of someone gazing in on them or stuck in one of Djurovic’s paintings
What choreographic devices are there in Artificial Things?
- mirroring - significant moments of mirroring show connection between dancers - Amy & Laura sitting
- contact - counterbalances, weight bearing, holding & supporting show connection & support between characters
- contrast - Amy created contrasting shaped & dynamics from Laura in gliding section - tilting with R leg raise 90degree at knee, Laura is turning in her wheelchair
- unison - shows equality between dancers, all coping with own limitations
- counterpoint - created contrast in level & direction throughout - reflecting on own personal experiences
What is the relationship to aural setting in Artificial Things?
direct correlation - slow, minimal notes made on piano complement slow, minimal gestures performed by Laura & Dave in opening,
Dave’s solo - mouthing words of ‘Sunshine of Your Smile’
What is the staging & setting like in Artificial Things?
- pale grey floor with wooden edge, reflects shape & restrictions of vitrine, link to idea of audience looking through snow globe, living within their own personal limitations
- vitrine placed USL laying on side, filled with snow - suggests stimulus of snow globe
- headless suit perched on mannequin, Toole wears during solo, reminiscent of his father?
- backdrop with vertical paint streaks (blue, green, brown) linking to stimulus of Djurovich painting ‘unknown secrets’, complements costumes which also having dripping effect
- linear pathways of paper snow from DSR to USL enhancing cold atmosphere & creates affect when dancers move through it
- wheelchair placed on its side in DSR in opening of scene, shows idea behind Lucy Bennet - figure perched on wheelchair, used by dancers as movement material generated from disabled dancers movements within wheelchair
What is the costume like in Artificial Things?
- pale blues, greens & beige - enhance cold, ambient mood, faded colours may suggest dancers are unhappy with coming to terms with their own limitations
- colours & dripping effect were inspired by paintings of Djurovic (stimuli) & complement set design (backdrop) & blue wash lighting
- dripping of paint also communicates idea of time passing as if they have been dripping down overtime
- everyday clothes are worn to link to choreographic intent that the piece is based on each dancers own life experiences, designs reflect individuality
- Laura’s short sleeves allow her arms to been seen clearly, important because her legs are confined to wheelchair within piece
- suit used for Dave’s solo to enhance narrative as his father may have worn suits & this solo is reminiscent of his relationship with his father
What is the aural setting like in Artificial Things?
- blue & white washes - enhance cold, ambient atmosphere Bennet intended
- use of spotlight allows audience to connect to emotional content of this section - you can see Toole’s facial expressions during solo
- 2 overhead white spotlights on duet at mid intensity DSR & CS restrict dancers space & supports idea of snow globe
- spotlight brings personal limitations & disabilities into focus - enhances stimulus of coming to terms with their limitations
- spotlight also supports CI of being subject to gaze of one another
- amber side lights add warm atmosphere to duets & give feeling of hopefulness
- changing lighting throughout section 3 enhances structure
- focused lighting on USL highlights striking tableaux in final section giving impression that the figures are trapped in a snow globe looking out at world
What is the aural setting like in Artificial Things?
- clock ticking at beginning & piano chords chiming at end suggests passing of time & represents dancers personal journeys in time, fits in with CI of loss at start & resolution at end
- sound effects of wind, distant thunder & industrial ambient sounds gives urban metallic landscape Lucy Bennet wanted to create, sounds of footsteps in snow compliment setting (paper snow on stage) & supports snow globe stimulus
- strings plucked inside piano create eerie atmosphere
- percussion instruments - glockenspiel & subtle sounds on scrunching bubble wrap add to unusual accompaniment of piece
- ‘Sunshine of your smile’ distorted & fragmented throughout & then played full at end - reminiscent of his personal memory of his father singing to him
- direct correlation - Dave balances on David when firm, low notes on piano are heard, provides contrast
- musical changing throughout enhances structure of piece
