In module 2 we were looking at emotional embodiment of the speaking dancer, and discovering techniques in which we can embody a character or specific emotion with a text, by drawing on different art forms. Through analyzing observation of our own physical language and responses to our senses and forms of emotions in everyday life, we can more clearly begin to embody the emotions and language of our chosen character.
My text for the research was 'The House of the Spirits' by Isabelle Allende, and I was looking at ideas of our ancestors, family connections and specifically the relationship between grandmother, daughter and grand-daughter. Through the story in the book, Alba, the grand-daughter held very strong ties with her Grandmother; a medium whom evokes spirits in their house.
In one scene Alba is looking at pictures of her grandmother, now passed, with her Grandfather; "You can take your roots with you, if you ever have to leave this place, my dear" he said", and together with this fragment of text, an item of clothing and physical preparation to embody a character, my ideas were taking shape. Alba became a spider; in animal form, the tie became a tongue, of recreating stories told through generations, and a timeline placed on the floor, and emotions of excitement as a young girl and sadness for her grandfather missing his wife.
Developing these ideas in a duet with Terri Stevens, a visual artist and inclusive dance artist, our characters were asked to meet to discover how we get on! Terrys character was the poet Shamshad Khan and her text one of the poems, our material came together drawing amazing coincidences, and although our original pieces were very conceptual we gave the duet a context and place for performance from combining languages and creating space to discover each other along the way.
Inspired by working with Terri and my research from this workshop I applied to develop it further with a new piece, here is the beginning of my application...
land home home lands (working title) ancestors/travel/migration/dialogues/countries/borders/journeying/home
Discovering identity through travel, journeys and dialogues. the presence of our ancestors are ever present within us every moment. Through discussions and dialogues with generations that have experienced so much we can come to understand our own stories and journeys at this time. Researching the countries and landscapes that make up who we are, carrying with us places in our families histories.
to be cont'd...
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