The following paper explores in detail the modern dance videos, commenting on the various elements that can be found in the dance. The aspects of space, time, force, shape, and floor design are studied closely. The music and costumes are brought into the picture. What is more, I explain in this essay the various feelings that the dance evokes in me as I watch it unfold, the elements and associations that come to mind.
To begin with, the dancers move through space differently depending on the piece of the dance that they are performing. On most part though, their movements are fluid and/or energetic (or both). There are parts in the dance when the dancers swirl and swerve, yet these transition into a calmer pace. During some of the dance’s parts, I felt like the female dancers were swans, graciously moving about. It seems like the women dancers have principal roles, while the male dancers tend to complement them. However, when the music becomes more energetic, one of the male dancers really stands out with his energy and vibe. There is a certain expression of femininity in the dance which is complemented with a set of wild latino moves.
Indeed, timing has an important role in this dance. As mentioned earlier, depending on the piece of music that is being played, the dancers express themselves differently. There is something mystical about the silent part, since the viewer does not yet know what the music will be (or if there will be any), yet she is trying to guess the rhythm. Certainly, there is something “latino” about the moves during the silent part. Here, the dancers express themselves as a single organism. Yet, when the music starts, they tend to go about separately, each in their own unique pace, dancing to the music. It is like the music releases each of their individualities on the dance floor.
In some of the parts, the movements are very energetic, it may even seem like they are uncontrolled, sporadic (when the Spanish music kicks in). In other parts, the movements are very precise, one can see that they entail a fair amount of dancing practice. Nevertheless, it is clear that the dance is structured in such a way as to express both unity among the dancers and chaotic, unbounded individuality. Thus, the dynamic is unrestricted by any one style/approach. Nevertheless, elements of both contemporary and latino dance (hip movements) are integrated to form unique sets of dancing alterations.
When it comes to the individual dancers, they morph into various shapes, using their bodies. During various parts in the dance, one can see how individuals tend to complement each other with different body movements and shapes. However, there is a point in the dance (specifically, the silent part), when the dancers come together to form a certain unique shape; the synchronicity makes them into a single dancing organism.
As for the floor, some straight lines can be seen on the stage, yet the frontal part is curved. The stage offers much space for improvisation and dancers can stand at a distance from one another. This gives them the freedom to move around and make unrestricted movements. I would actually say that this dance is about the ideas of freedom and unity, all at once (taking into account its organization and music, as well as the silent part).
Music was mentioned in the paper on various occasions, however, I would like to pay closer attention to it in this paragraph. The music which accompanies this dance is Spanish/Latino style. It is lively and vigorous. In fact, one could show surprise regarding the music choice for a contemporary/modern dance, yet I would say that the silent part in the beginning and later improvisations allow to attribute this dance to the “modern” style category.
The costumes are original; all white, they flow freely without constraining the dancers’ bodies. As some of the more fluid movements are made by the female dancers, it feels as if they are floating like clouds. In other parts of the dance, the skirts and white tops highlight the latino-like, feminine movements of the dancers. As for their male partners, they are also wearing white garments that flow freely (pants and shirts). These costumes correspond to what one would expect of a modern dance; at the same time, their design could also be representative of latino-style dance. However, the white color makes them neutral and/or reserved.
As I watched the video, my attention was immediately drawn toward one of the female dancers with a long pony tail (wearing a white skirt and top). Her movements are energetic and fluid. There is a certain charisma about her; thus, the viewer’s attention is easily drawn toward her self-expression as a dancer. It even feels like she is doing the moves spontaneously and freely.
While watching the silent part, I felt deeply entranced; it kind of felt like a hypnosis. The dancers were all moving with synchronicity, precision, and without making a sound. Their bodies expressed the “unheard” music during these moments. They were the instruments that were playing and the instruments that were being played — all at once.
Summing up, this is a dance filled with numerous meanings and contrasts. While it may seem like a collection of unconnected pieces at first, as one picks apart the various parts of this dance, it becomes apparent that each part is filled with its own unique meaning and energy/vitality.
