How (some) Dances are (sometimes) Made
The process of making something is an odd business. You have an array of small, specific, ordinary items that, after varying amounts of work that are either dutiful or inspired, are transformed into something that is more complex, serviceable, or interesting. It’s a satisfyingly human magic, and the quirks of an individual’s choices are always of interest.
In terms of art and entertainment, the curiosity is even more pronounced. How do they make the pirate ship blow up? Do they write their novels with a pen in the morning? Do they compose in an empty room? Are there charms? Ritual? Habit? Here is this thing that did not exist before they told it to, and now, with any luck, it exists in your head as well as in the world.
Weird.
Last Saturday, Carson worked on developing a new phrase of movement. We’ve been investigating things that we like and things that we don’t like, and everyone has written down a very specific list. The original idea came from a line from Kat’s story: “The first thing you notice about being dead is that you can still see the stars.” I wanted to know what the first thing I would notice would be. Not the stars, probably. Something much more dull and unromantic.
We asked Carson to make up a set of gestures to go with the items on her list. Once she had her gestures, we asked her to expand them and link them together in a bigger, longer phrase. We left a camera running while she worked, and I edited down the 35 minutes of video to about seven minutes that I hope will give you an idea of what was happening without boring you to tears.
We’ve made other phrases in other ways. Sometimes Shan and I bring choreography that we’ve already worked out to rehearsal; sometimes we play around with balloons and cheap stockings. Sometimes we go to the wonderful haven of Borderlands Cafe and write notes on stories. But this is how we made this particular piece of dance. I hope you enjoy it!
The music in the video is from a couple of great sites, pdsounds and Free Music Archive. In order, the songs are:
“1 minute at the alexa mall in berlin” by Thore
“1909 Little Nemo Selection” by Victor Herbert Orchestra
The “cat kneading the chest” feeling is one of my favorites, too, and Carson’s choreography for that is so perfect.
I have to admit… Cats kneading on my chest make me nervous. This is possibly because I seem to only interact with cats that are adorable, charming, purring engines right up until the moment when they unsheathe their claws and become mad dervishes.
Everything about this is so smart. The concept, the dance, the light, the music and the editing. Bravo!!
Thanks, Lorna! We’re so happy that Carson is working with us.
Very cool. Liked the slow music transition segments that give the observer a chance to pause, catch back up and prepare for the next burst of dance.
Thanks, Stephanie!
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