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QUESTION 11: CHOREOGRAPHERS AND DANCE WORKS Answer this question by referring to any TWO of the prescribed choreographers below - NSC Dance Studies - Question 11 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 11
QUESTION 11: CHOREOGRAPHERS AND DANCE WORKS Answer this question by referring to any TWO of the prescribed choreographers below. INTERNATIONAL CHOREOGRAPHERS ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:QUESTION 11: CHOREOGRAPHERS AND DANCE WORKS Answer this question by referring to any TWO of the prescribed choreographers below - NSC Dance Studies - Question 11 - 2016 - Paper 1
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11.2 Give biographical information on the TWO choreographers who you referred to in QUESTION 11.1 and explain their different backgrounds and training.
Answer
Martha Graham (1894-1991) was an influential American dancer and choreographer who developed the Graham technique, characterized by its focus on the emotional complexity of the human experience. She studied at the University of California and later in Paris with Ruth St. Denis. Graham's works often explored themes of mythology and personal struggle.
Pina Bausch (1940-2009) was a pioneering German choreographer known for her unique blend of dance and theater, known as Tanztheater. Bausch trained at the Folkwang School in Essen, Germany, and later worked in the United States and Europe. Her choreography often emphasizes human emotions and relationships, using dialogue and dramatic elements.
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11.3 Use the movement vocabulary and production elements to explain how the TWO choreographers that you named in QUESTION 11.1 communicated the themes of their works. Elaborate and give examples.
Answer
Martha Graham’s 'Lamentation' uses the movement vocabulary of contraction and release, a hallmark of her technique, to communicate deep emotional pain and sorrow. The use of fabric as a prop in this solo piece symbolizes the weight of grief, while the stark lighting emphasizes the isolation of the character.
In contrast, Pina Bausch’s 'The Rite of Spring' employs a dynamic mixture of visceral movement and powerful ensemble work to highlight themes of sacrifice and community ritual. Bausch’s use of everyday gestures interspersed with energetic choreography creates a visceral connection to the audience, enhancing the emotional gravity of the narrative.
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11.4 Considering all the prescribed works that you have studied, give your opinion of the ONE choreographer you support and their impact in the world.
Answer
I support Pina Bausch for her revolutionary approach to dance theater, which has greatly influenced contemporary dance. Her work challenged traditional boundaries between dance and drama, allowing for a broader interpretation of human experiences. For example, her piece 'The Rite of Spring' transformed audience expectations about what dance could convey, mixing physicality with raw emotional expression that resonates across cultures, promoting a deeper conversation about the human condition in performance art.