I have had such an interesting week and one that has been full of changes in my environment and offered me time to consolidate, take a step back and take off again. I almost feel like my whole body and the world around me has been part of a huge 'clean up' plan and the Spring cleaning/re-decorating has been in place - I'm currently still at the dust sheet phase of the decoration but the wallpaper and paint are next in line and that in itself feels good, as I know that everything is in place, even though it is not yet complete!
Last Tuesday (28th) I visited Middlesex University and had the absolute pleasure and indulgence of observing a Graham technique class and attending a lecture on 'A choreographic Idea - Its beginning and possible development' (Cohan, R 2014). Both of these were fabulous and a real help to my deeper understanding of American Modern Dance. As I sat observing the Graham technique class I was able to assimilate the intricacies of the exercises and combinations that I'd learnt as a student, and I was able to make much more sense of how and what each exercise was for, and make reference to the literature I've read into the background and knowledge of Graham's choreographic principles and technique. I felt a real connection to the work and privileged to have the opportunity to experience it 'first hand'. The class was so cleverly choreographed and delivered with such inspirational teaching and attention to detail; I was desperate to be a part of the class and given half the chance, I probably would have joined in.
My connection to Graham was then endorsed even further when I attended the lecture on choreography. Now I was sitting in a studio theatre looking at Robert Cohan, who apart from being a revered choreographer and founding Artistic Director of The Place, prior to this, he worked with Martha Graham and was a member of her company for 20 years. He was among the great modern dancers such as Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Jose Limon, Helen Tamiris, the list goes on as does his incredible and enviable CV; I felt as though I could almost touch the history of modern dance, to an extent I was looking at it, I was looking at a man, a dancer who has been part of the historical context that my research is based on; ............my literature review was coming alive, it was surreal, unbelievable and truly inspirational! Not least of all, Robert Cohan is a remarkable man and who is mesmerising to look at and listen to, a legend of modern dance. My Tuesday lunch time was most definitely one of the highest quality!
Being on the University campus last Tuesday, allowed me time to appreciate the student environment, take a breath as it were and enforce time out, away from the books, computer and reflective journal, it was an immense observational day that I have since reflected on and taken stock of all that it had to offer, not only to my research and my teaching, but to me as a person, a dancer. As we all become closer to our deadlines regardless of what module we're on, it's easy to get caught up with individual stresses and frustrations. Tuesday allowed me the time to let the dust sheet settle so that I was able to re-connect my thoughts and proceed with the final stages of my research. It was great to meet with Helen, whom I must thank for escorting me from studio to studio and spending time out of her day to do just that. . The days experiences fulfilled me on every level and has served to encourage my research inquiry with an additional momentum; a jewel in my memory box that I will cherish and use to inform my professional practice.
Thanks for sharing this Amanda, I want to know more about the lecture on choreography with Cohan what did he share?! I feel like I've hit a wall with my research. Although the online community has been great in the last two modules, this in terms of a practical project especially as a solo freelancer without constant access to a school or college has been quite isolating energy wise. I feel I need community and energy of people who share my passion subjectively and be around them in the physical and not to be confined by the internet. I'm attending a three day conference on African dance in Bournemouth so I'm hoping like you I will feel revitalised! Then I'm teaching at colleges so Im hoping In terms of data gathering this will be enough I'm a bit apprehensive because you don't know whats going to happen and what form it's going to take so I'm still deciding what to paint and where! I hope I feel at the same stage as you in the next couple of weeks! Thanks for sharing Amanda, great to read!
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie, with pleasure I can share my notes that I jotted down from the Robert Cohan lecture. It was an only an hour, which was a shame as Cohan had so much to say and share with us, I would have loved to spend an afternoon just listening and scribbling! Anyway, he was mostly talking about how he approaches choreography and what he's done in his career. He started by saying that choreography is an idea, that's the stimulus. Once you have an idea, start to notice things, people, events etc and make a library in your head that consolidates all that you've noticed. He also advised that if you are going to use music for choreography, then the music must be potent, meaningful and it has to keep getting stronger throughout the process and beyond. The dance idea, has to animate the dancers; they need to be enthused. He showed us some video footage which are the only (early) choreographies in existence on film, these can be found on Youtube - BBC film for dance, Bob Lockyer. When asked by a member of the audience, what inspired him to choreograph, he said many things, but he was always stimulated by paintings and was a painter before he became a dancer/choreographer. One of his final statements and probably the most profound for me as a dancer, person, teacher, researcher (all of the above really) was he said "be open to inspiration - handle it, channel it, do it" (Cohen, R. 2014). It was an absolute joy to listen to his creative life and as I said in my blog one that I shall treasure and feel fortunate to have been there!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where you're based Jamie, but if you ever wanted to teach vocational students you're always welcome to come into the college. I have a full morning of classes on a Wednesday morning with 3rd year musical theatre students, which I'm happy to offer you if you feel that would help in anyway? The college is based in Dartford, about 15 minutes on the train south of London. Just let me know? I hope I've helped you in some way. Please share with us the African dance conference, that sounds as though it will be very exciting.
Your blogs always help Amanda thank you! I always find anything on choreography fascinating and choreographers journeys and process's. I'm based in Manchester, I would be thrilled to come in to do a morning, Im teaching workshops at Northern Ballet and Middlesex so will see how I'm doing data wise after this, but will hold you to this!!! I feel I'm a bit behind yet the project seems to be getting bigger if that make sense! I need to put pen to paper soon how are you doing with your drafts?
ReplyDeleteMy draft started off well and I felt on top of the introduction and evaluation section, not doing so well with the literature review and today I'm starting to analyse some of the data...........this I'm finding really tough, I don't think my brain either works or responds very well to critical analysis, but I also feel that I'm my own worst enemy as I face it with nervous anxiety which obviously doesn't help matters. Let me know as and when if you want to come into the college? I'm going to leave a comment on your blog in response to some of the questions you've asked.
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