Within Her Eyes~

Question 1

Who is the choreographer for Within Her Eyes?

Answer 1

James Cousins

Question 2

What is the company?

Answer 2

James Cousins Dance Company

Question 3

What is the dance style?

Answer 3

Contemporary contact

Question 4

How many dancers are there?

Answer 4

2- one female, one male

Question 5

What is the performance environment?

Answer 5

Site-sensitive

Question 6

What is the stimuli?

Answer 6

-abstract love story with a twist
-loss of a previous lover
-dependency, longing
-memory
-loyalty

Question 7

What was the choreographic approach of this dance?

Answer 7

Improvisations were filmed, female couldn’t touch the floor with rules applied such as not looking at the male, pulling away, intimacy.

Question 8

What is the structure of Within Her Eyes?

Answer 8

Narrative
or
Prologue with 6 sections in one seamless journey

Question 9

Name the Choreographic intent of Within Her Eyes

Answer 9

-high emotional intensity
-abstract love story
-total contact
-female leads all movements
-female’s pull to her late lover, trying to move on

Question 10

What type of motifs are there?

Answer 10

-reaching away
-wrapping
-lifting

Question 11

Costume Analysis:
Why does the female dancer wear a short skirt?

Answer 11

It ensures her legs are not restricted in high leg extensions and lifts.

Question 12

Costume Analysis:
What does the male dancer wear and why?

Answer 12

He wears tight fitting jumper and trousers which help enhance the lines of the body and it is non-restricting.

Question 13

Costume Analysis:
What does the females beige knitted cardigan in the prologue show?

Answer 13

It shows the climate as cold and enhances the feeling of loneliness and isolation.

Question 14

Costume Analysis:
Do the costumes contrast one another? What do they symbolise?

Answer 14

The females light beige blouse and skirt contrast to the males dark costume. It links her to the heavens and her late lover whereas the dark costume communicates control, stability and links him to the Earth. Also compliments the setting as the colours reflect the cliffs and sky behind them.

Question 15

Costume Analysis:
What does the delicate blouse with long sleeves and top button done up show to us?

Answer 15

Shows the female dancers fragility but conservative character.

Question 16

Costume Analysis:
What does the button becoming undone in the female’s costume tell us?

Answer 16

The button is undone as the dance progresses showing her distress and increased emotional struggles- her hair also becomes more untidy.

Question 17

Lighting Analysis:
Where is the dance filmed?

Answer 17

In natural light with weather changes [sombre moods]

Question 18

Lighting Analysis:
What does the grey and gloomy light in the prologue add to ?

Answer 18

Adds to the sense of loneliness and isolation

Question 19

Lighting Analysis:
What does the overcast but lighter sky in the beginning suggest?

Answer 19

It suggests an early day time and an early stage to the relationship.

Question 20

Lighting Analysis:
What do the darker lights enhance ?

Answer 20

The sense of intimacy - there are small glimpses of lights which could be parts of hope for female dancer.

Question 21

Lighting Analysis:
What does the progression from light to dark imply?

Answer 21

The passing of time and it illustrates their relationship is developing over a long period of time.

Question 22

Lighting Analysis:
The final floor section is darker. What does this suggest?

Answer 22

Night time and possibly an end to their relationship. Also it compliments the male costume making him blend in.

Question 23

Aural Setting Analysis:
What does the pre-recorded fusion of classical and electronic bonds create?

Answer 23

A contrast between sections through differences in instruments.

Question 24

Aural Setting Analysis:
What do the soft and quiet piano sounds at the start suggest?

Answer 24

Fragility of the relationship

Question 25

Aural Setting Analysis: Wind sounds enhance the location of a vast and open landscape. What does this suggest/ compliment?

Answer 25

The setting, suggesting they are in their own world

Question 26

Aural Setting Analysis: What do the dense, more frequent string notes in the forest do?

Answer 26

Build tension which directly correlates with the faster paced choreography.

Question 27

Aural Setting Analysis: There is a return of the minimalistic piano sounds. What does this create?

Answer 27

It happens in the kneeling section, creating intimacy where they look at each other for the first time.

Question 28

Aural Setting Analysis: What is heard at the end and what does it create?

Answer 28

Electronic, low pitch rumbles which create an uncomfortable atmosphere, leaving the audience in the unknown.