To help with our challenging petit jete, look up sissonne fermee and ballonnee.
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Just so we don't get too stuck in classical ideas about ballet, here's a video featuring one of the most famous contemporary ballet choreographers, William Forsythe.
Here's Sylvie Guillem in a Forsythe ballet called "In the Middle"
What are your impressions of this kind of ballet?
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33 comments:
The first striking difference I noticed about the modern ballet videos compared to classical ballet, was the sheer choice of music. The music is raw and often changes tempos. In my opinion, music and dance are very much interrelated. The specific emotion which results from a piece of music can be portrayed via dance. Within these two videos, classical ballet technique is modified and personalized to become something new. Overall, modern ballet is a style, just as classical ballet, appreciated or not, it is an innovation.
I just love the philosophy of contemporary ballet. Taking something you love and exploring it and pushing it beyond the norms. I must say though i loved 'In the middle' but was less a fan of the first piece. I found myself drawn to and more interested in the ballet quality and patterns of the second piece and it captured my attention so much more because i can recognize the work and spirit the dancers are putting into their movements. The first piece however was much more difficult to relate to. I think i didn't understand the emotion or concept of this particular dance and so had trouble appreciating it. But that's the whole point isn't it? He's forcing us to do our own mental exploration of its meaning and get that much more out of it.
-bergman
Wow. It's hard to find what to say because this type of ballet is balletic, but at the same time not at all. It's interesting because I identified the dancers in this ballet as more person-like rather than as the pristine figurines of classic ballet. I think this is because they come out walking like average people before breaking out into some crazy flexible ballet moves. It seemed a bit more grounded and a bit more real; but at the same time the light, music choice, and ability of the dancers made it seem other worldly.
In classical ballet, I picture very flowy, delicate and fairy-like dancers... in the videos of contemporary ballet- that was definitely not the image. I liked how there was definitely a portrayal of more intense emotion and the difference in music selection. The dancer in the first video looked as if he was dancing from his soul rather than following choreography. It was definitely very avant-garde-ish but I appreciate how it shows that dance is no longer viewed in specific categories such as ballet, modern, and jazz, but as an art form that can take on many modifications and styles.
I love contemporary ballet and the emotion behind it. It seems much more alive and real than a traditional ballet. In class you are constantly pushing us to feel alive in our dancing and not get hung up on the stiff "ballet" bodies that we tend to get stuck in. I think contemporary ballet captures this idea of exploring how the body moves and its impact on the surrounding space.
I’ve never been much of a fan of modern dance. I have always been drawn to very feminine, sexy, delicate types of dancing, so I’ve never really found my niche in modern styles (at least yet). The first video was, for lack of better words, quite weird to watch. I felt as though he was trying to dance as if he were mentally insane, or constrained or frustrated. I couldn’t really tell. The second video was much more intriguing to me. My, oh, my is she flexible. She reminded me of the daddy-long-leg spiders I grew up watching. She seemed to have no difficulty whatsoever kicking her leg up, right next to her head (that would take A LOT of training). Anyway, my first impression of this sort of dancing was mixed feelings, I really liked the type of modern ballet in the second video and I was not that enticed by the first. That sort of ballet just seems so far out of my “comfort zone” I don’t know if I would be able to recreate it.
I am not really into modern dance very much, but I must say that I liked the video with sylvie in it much more. I liked the choreography more and I liked the performance better. The other video, the choreography just seemed spastic and out of control looking. Being a dancer I realize that it took a lot of control to be able to do that, I'm just not a fan of how it looked. (It kind of looked like he had to pee) :(
My impressions of modern ballet, is that it seems like you are "free" to move however you want, or its like you dance on the spot with no choreography planned. It seems like you are able to let out your emotions without thinking much about the technique, where in fact you did. And i find modern ballet is something which you can relate as real, while classical ballet is like fantasy-like or fairytale-like dance.
Watching the first video is intriguing, because its unique, and something im not familiar with at all. it seems like his movement are contained, like an emotion of sadness,"low" not what classical ballet is ("high"). but i am much connected to the second one. MAN! she has such great control! i cant take my eyes off her!
As many others have said, the music is a very noticable difference. Watching these videos, in some ways, reminds me of the random exercises we do in class in between the traditional ones. They are improvised and unconventional, but a style of dance just the same. Because this is still a form of ballet, you can still see the beauty with pointed toes, long turnouts, and precise technique, its just the production as a whole has a very different feel. The control is also very noticable. It seems hard to mix this new style in with ballet, i don't know maybe its not. Cool videos though.
When I think of classical ballet I think of dancers flowing across the stage. The modern ballet videos seemed more loose and not so confined in technique. In the first video he seemed like he was free-styling and didn't need to worry about positions or technique. I really enjoyed the second video. The woman's solo was amazing! Her leg hit any position and she had such control of her body.
I really enjoyed watching the Sylvie Guillem piece, but the first contemporary piece I thought was a little difficult to follow. His movements were so choppy that I think whatever he was trying to portray got a little lost in translation.
One of my favorite parts about watching the Sylvie video was the music. The music contained periodic pauses in the choreography that allowed her to hold certain poses for a few seconds. I also like the force with which she hit every motion. Sometimes it is refreshing to see strong, defined movements rather than flowy choreography.
hmmm...
I absolutely loved the first piece! An interesting mixture of traditional ballet movements such as Battement, Rond de Jambe, and Jete, mixed with movements which are ususally considered unballetish. He should do a one man interpretation of swan lake using his modern ballet style and video technology which would allow him to dance every role. I thought 'in the middle' was impressive, just not as interesting. It reminded me of some kind of 80's german techno scene. However, you've really got to appreciate Guillem's foot articulation.
In the first one, I spent most of it trying to find the ties between the ballet that I'm used to seeing and the form that he was performing. It makes me wonder, how much of a form can you manipulate and still be able to define it as that form? Is it a branch of ballet or a different type of dance altogether? What is essential to the definition of ballet? What do you think, Louis?
This reminded me a lot of a conversation I just had with my mom yesterday...My mom played violin for 14 years and recently decided to pick it up again, only this time she is going electric. She was so excited to put a new twist on techniques that she had spent so long perfecting. I think that modern ballet is exciting in this same way, and it allows more room for creativity. But I think it would be really difficult to creatively engage in modern ballet until you understood the technical basics of classical ballet.
An interesting point in modern ballet is that it is original. Although it consists of conventional and traditional form of ballet, such as attutude, allabesque and pirouette, its choreography and the way of movemnt and expression is the only one in the world.
I really liked watching those videos since those have originality and uniqueness. Another interesting point I found is that modern ballet allows our original translation and interpretation of the dance. While classic ballet expects audience to follow the fixed story, modern ballet enables various point of view by each of us.
This kind of ballet reminds me more of the strength and power of the dancers and what it takes to do these moves. There is something so sharp and soldier like in comparison to very slow controlled classic ballet. The stories are much more emotionally intense and drawing of my eyes.
The modern ballet is very different from the traditional ballet. In modern ballet, it since like the music is more sharp and in the fast tempo compared with the classical ballet, the music is more soft and the tempo is not as fast as the modern ballet. In modern and classical ballet, as you can see both dance technique is very clean and easy to tell and see. Somehow, i feel in modern dance, i don't think the dancer have any emotional feeling because when i watching their face, it feel like they lack out the emotion compared to the tridition ballet, the emotion is very important to show out to the audiance. Even thou the triditional ballet and the modern ballet is very different but i like it both.
The first video was so cool! the way his body moved together and was so connected with his arms and legs it was really pretty. The second video was really entertaining, the music was really different and it was fun to watch. I think that it is nice to have a contrast in types of ballet. I love classical ballet, but these videos were really fun to watch and very interesting to experience watching.
"In the Middle" I feels like a remix of Agon (Balanchine) with a composition from Stomp instead of Stravinsky. I guess it makes sense, though, sense Agon is also a contemporary ballet.
I expected to see less structure in the movement. However, compared to the rigid and minimal classical movement, this is amazing. High developpes, displaying backsides while walking upstage flat-footed, and flailing limbs are definitely something that can only be seen in contemporary ballet. Plus, Guillem has her hair down.
I guess we will see how contemporary ballet has continued to evolve later this week when the company Forsythe choreographed for, La Compañia Nacional de Danza, comes to Meany Hall.
In the first video when i first started watching it when it showed just the feet i thought it was normal ballet but as soon as they moved up the body quickly realized that this was not normal ballet. What he is doing it like patting your head and rubbing your stomach its hard. He makes it look super easy but i know it takes lots and lots of practice. Personally i don't really like this style of dance. His foot work is AMAZING but im not really a fan of the crazy arms. The second video on the other hand looks really cool. Its ballet but with a kick. I think the music is a great choice for the dance and its something I would go and see. Just from what we have done in class its hard to move your arms freely when your feet are not so i give all those dancers lots of credit for what they do.
Modern ballet seems so different from classical ballet. It almost doesn't seem like ballet at all, but at the same time it is. The movements of classical ballet are still there, but they aren't as flowy as they normally would be. The music isn't strictly classical music either. Modern ballet music seems more contemporary and modern. I think it's kind of weird. I definitely prefer classical ballet to the modern stuff, but at the same time, I can appreciate the modern ballet because it takes the same amount of work to perform it.
Sorry, I didn't check my blog before class, because I have been so busy with rehearsals, papers, etc. I had fun today in class. I also enjoyed both the videos. I like incorporating modern into ballet. That is one of the things I have enjoyed most about this class. I really loved the second video. I loved the way the gracefullness of ballet was still evident, yet the moves and music were more modern. She has great lines.
The first video was also interesting, he had a lot of control of his body, yet he was moving it in very modern ways. I'm not sure everyone would classify it as ballet.
I found the William Forsythe video very interesting. I really liked it, but I know that upon further endeavors in modern dance and modern ballet, I'll appreciate it even more. I did find some of the movements odd, but I really liked the kind of conflict between the centered, traditional stance of ballet interspersed with releases of the modern. Because I am much more familiar with modern classical music, I thought that the parts with violin provide more of a context for the dancing, at least for me. Post-tonal music is something that interests me, and most people do not appreciate until they have studied this music or learned some of it. I feel that this might be similar to modern ballet.
Again, with the Slyvie Guillem solo, I feel that music plays a key role in the feeling of the dance - there is a kind of furious energy to her dancing, which is lots of fun, it almost feels like ballet was a kid, and has hit adolescene, and wants to rebel and find its own voice. The extremity of the dance is then contrasted by a feeling of relaxation in the walking.
I love the "In the Middle" piece - I think it is very striking. The movement fits the music and the mood is very good.
The jury is still out on the first piece..
but I like that they are both trying to put more things into dance and breathe life into it.
I feel very much the same way as Farah in the sense that I was really trying to see how it is that the first piece can be defined as ballet. Farah's questions were esentially the same ones that I had while watching it. There are many things I appreciate about modern dance - physically, I am always in complete awe as to what many modern dancers do in regards to movement, on a physical level. There is always a sense of anticipation for me, as I often think to myself how much effort goes into it, which is usually unlike ballet, which aspires to make movements look effortless, therefor less human. Modern dance is very human experience based and I appreciate it for that reason. Visually and aesthetically, however, I am drawn to movements that are lyrical, with long lines and circles, suppleness. Angular, jarring movements are uncomfortable and well, jarring for me to watch, and it is less what I want to watch in a dance performance. With that said, I have to agree with most people in that I preferred the second video over the first, because it was very lyrical to me. One thing I really do like about these pieces was the music, especially the second one, where I felt they were both lyrical and raw at the same time.
The first video is very, very different from any kind of dancing I've ever done. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of modern. It also reminded me a little bit of break dancing. I liked the second video with Sylvia Guillem a lot better. I think this is partly because it was a little bit closer to traditional ballet, which I am partial to - it seems (to me) like she is really still dancing, but is able to incorporate more style into it than what traditional ballet usually allows. I think the fact that they are dressed down a little bit, and that they (well some of them) have their hair down (i.e. a different appearance) can also really affect the overall aesthetic and feel of the dance. Also, I must admit: I am watching these videos at work with no sound (because I just moved and don't have internet at my new apartment yet). So I'd like to watch the videos again with sound (when I can get some good quality time in a computer lab) and see how my perception of these dances changes.
In the Forsythe ballet, Sylvie was very good at everything she did and they all ballet moves but the music totally changed the presentation of the piece. It wasn't the soft, flowing ballet that we're use to seeing but rather something really modern. I was just thinking about which one was harder between modern ballet and classical ballet but I don't think I can really say because I think they are equally as hard in different ways. Classical ballet has the traditional and "soft" feeling but still requires a lot of strength in order to do and modern ballet has the "strong but non-structured" look but still requires strength, core and flow in order to do the movements.
Overall, it's nice to experience and get out of classical ballet once in awhile.
I think modern and contemporary ballet is GREAT.! Dance is like a tree in which are branched out to many other possibilities. Classical, modern, or contemporary ballet- among its roots is ballet. I personally appreciate and enjoy learning all techniques but may slightly be more drawn to modern ballet. But at the same time, without enough experience, skill, and technique in ballet itself, I may be drawn to modern ballet for the wrong reasons; that it's more loose and have many variations.
I like seeing ballet used in this way. I think that when choreographers break out of classical music and the strict positioning that it gives ballet a whole new life. Modern has never really been my thing, but I can definitely appreciate the artistry.
Modern Ballet is very appealing to me! To me it's all about exploring and expanding on what already exists. One thing I notice about modern ballet as opposed to classical ballet is the freedom in the movements. It's traditional ballet combined with new creative and innovating movements, I love it!
I loved these pieces. Seeing these pieces allowed me to reflect what type of dancer I am aspiring to be. i specificlly love the lines and the strength of the dancers and the attitude expressed in her walks. Her attitude is determined and fearless. This is empowereing and explosive. I like the unpredictability of contemporary ballet and the room for further exploration in movement. I actually saw forstyhe company at ADF last summer and their use of improvisation and Ballet created a rich environment of new movment and powerful technique that expressed sheer emotion and personality.
Ashley Howisey
i like this kind of dance, it is bold. i just reminds me that there are different type of ballet, some is flowey and some is bold.
I am more intrigued with Classical ballet which is more feminine, traditional and delicate. Everything from the costumes to the music is different between modern and classical causing modern ballet to be more abstract with its off-tempo music and simple costumes. With the two videos posted, I prefer the edgier of the two which is Sylvie's solo. The choregraphy is refreshing articulate and innovative yet maintains so of the basic classical movements with an added twist that has made me appreciate modern a bit more.
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