ghost dancers Flashcards
(16 cards)
when was it premired
1981
how many dancers and section
11 dancers
7 sections
which dictator influenced bruce
pinnochet in chile
he murdered innocent people and protestors
ghost dancers costumes
they wear rags and have black body paint to outline their skeleton
they wear masks which are remanisant of day of the dead
villagers costumes
disheveled everyday clothing for freedom of movement
their is a girl in a red dress and a girl in a white dress
what famous murder influence bruce
the murder of victor jara who was a chillian musicain who wrote about political themes for protests
who wanted bruce to make the work
the chilean human rights committee
describe the set and lighting
arid landscape is viewed from the mouth of a cave
there are 7 rocks on stage which dancers hide behind or sit on
ghost dancers have a green wash
villagers have a yellow wash
dramatic changes when a death happenes
in section 4 lighting is orange on the left side towers to suggest the sun is setting on the boys life
style
graham
music was the starting point
folk dance with chains , lines and pivot steps
ballet
gestures - surrendor , hug , hand on heart
minimalist set and costume
influences of the music
folk music
classical guitar
side drums
wind pipes
pan pipes
describe the aural setting at the begining
wind sounds to make the ghost dancers menicing and eary
impact
engaing themes with audiences
promotes awareness
showcasing a blend of ballet and graham
aids him in making swan song
revived many times
helps him become artistic director
what do the ghost dancers represent
death , politicans or murders
describe and explain the ghost dancers enterance
The three ghost dancers stand in a straight line with their arms interlinked facing the audience. They slowly turn to stage right and lower themselves down to a crouch. They then transfer their position to a crouch facing stage left through a plie. By putting their knees on the floor they slide their right leg forward into a deep lung.
This shows the government power and strength because of the control they used in these movements as well as the unison which can represent power in numbers and support of each other.
Focused eye line would also suggest a common goal being concentrated on and being threaterning
describe and explain the lady in the red dress motif
enters from upstage left and travels diagonally to downstage right by doing two triplet steps. her upper body begins folded over her knees, arms straight above her head. . She then steps out of the triplet and into a high kneed jump with her left leg to face stage left . She then repeats this sequence diagonally downstage left. This motif can be interpreted in terms of the subject matter as sorrow and loss because the upper body movement suggests a person collapsing under the sadness and sorrow, as well as the rhythm reflecting a loss of control. Similarly, as the female dancer turns and repeats the motif in different directions it could be interpreted as her searching for someone or something that is lost and the turmoil that it brings.
descibe and explain the girl in the red dress dying
standing stage left and facing stage right the female dancer is on her partners back. she slowly arches her back to fall head first onto the floor where a ghost dancer is lead to catch her
she has a childlike energy in her duet showing that the ghost dancers will take anyone and whether they are guilty of a crime or not
