Critique
and Review Wayne McGregor’s piece
The piece of Wayne McGregor’s which I’m going to critique in
this blog is Woolf Works Corps. This piece was first premiered in 2015 and
Virginia Woolf defied the false order of narrative conventions to depict a
heightened, startling and poignant reality. However, like explained in a
previous review blog on Wayne McGregor he likes to keep his pieces open to
interpretation.
The dance style he is portraying is contemporary ballet so
neo classical. This is shown by the movements used in the piece as he uses leaps
and developes along with abstract movement which isn’t ballet related. Also,
the females are wearing pointe shoes which highlights some of the movement
within the piece is done on pointe.
The fist section of this clip is done with one spotlight in
the center of the stage and the dancers only do the movement in the light and
is like a follow on. Therefore, it links to order and chaos as its flowing but
the dancers have many different movements in and out of the light at different
times and with different amounts of people and its different pathways. This
makes the piece look really interesting as there is so much going on but not
too much so its confusing. Following on from this section it goes into a group
section where there are six duets all in a line completing the same motif at
first then it goes to one couple doing one motif with the rest doing another
different one behind. Including a section like this explores all the different
choreographic devices which draws in the audience’s attention as it makes the
piece more varied. Then the dancers created two circles at both stage left and
right and there was a short motif of movement. Then the two circles of people
turned into spotlights with different dancers doing movement in them
representing the idea of order and chaos. Next, the piece ended with four
spotlights across the stage and the same idea of different dancers creating
different movement in the piece.
I believe that Wayne McGregor’s aim to the audience with
this piece was to show the idea of order and chaos as I think this idea links
really well to the whole aspect of the piece and the layout of the piece. The
impact of his work on the audience is mind blowing in the sense the movements
are so clean and the way the patterns of different movements are set but the
quick pace makes you wonder how its possible to create such a technical piece
at a fast pace and for it to look clean.
It is very clear in dynamics that this piece is more
dynamically strong with element of low beats and quicker movement in comparison
to Infra which had varied dynamics but not as strong as the base of this piece.
Both pieces have very different stimuli and this is shown clearly in the
movement created in the pieces. The music in both pieces is also very
contrasting but similar in the fact that the piece of music allows both dances
to have the style of neo classical. The movement vocabulary in the pieces have
similar and contrasting motifs for example both pieces have a lot of use of
high leg extensions. Both pieces show a very different story/theme due to the
way the movements are set as they entail different things and the intentions
are different, however, his overall aim is still the same of wanting the
audience to create their own interpretation.Also, I noticed in both his pieces he uses an LED patterned/ pictured background to add more elements to his piece and gives it a different outlook. This element of his work is very
inspiring as he works with his audience in a way and allows them to get
involved with his work.
Overall, I really like the way this piece is presented and
how clever its choreographed.
I like how you have gone into great detail about the choreography, as it gives the audience an idea into what you want to communicate. You mentioned that this piece is more neo classical than ballet. What decision do you think led him to do this and why?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback.
DeleteThe reason I am led to believe that this piece is more neo classical than ballet is the structure of the movements and how he has portrayed them.
this a great blog and you have gone into lots of relevant detail around this piece.
ReplyDeleteyou have clearly explained about the movement material within this piece and your thoughts and feelings upon this.
what impact do you feel the dynamics of this piece has on the audience?
I enjoyed reading this blog well done.
Thank you so much for your comment.
DeleteI feel like the dynamics of the music have a great impact on the audience and it gives the setting ig the piece and highlights what is to be expected.
Well done Abi , you have really shown your opinions on this dance piece. Which dance piece do you prefer out of the two pieces you have reviewed? How do the costumes on each piece you have reviewed differ?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
DeleteI prefer Infra our if the two pieces as I have studied it previously so feel like I have more understanding towards it.
The costumes are still dance style but are different colours.
You have included some interesting points discussing Wayne McGregor's piece, however, I would like you to go into further detail when analysing and comparing the piece to other works. In your view, what do you think the piece trying to communicate or say to its audience? Do you think the piece was successful - were there any parts you liked/disliked? In comparison to your first critical analysis, can you further discuss the differences between the two pieces? Overall a well presented critical analysis.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback.
DeleteI believe this piece is trying to communicate a busy outside world or even a chaotic mind set.
I believe the piece is successful as the intentions are clear.
I really liked the layout of the busyness and the different patterns involved.
The layouts of both pieces are different as Infra is set out simpler in comparison to this one.