Contrasts in modern dance

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University of South Carolina *

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101

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Arts Humanities

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Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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Uploaded by BailiffFang3277

Taking a Nosedive Into Modern Dance: Revelations & Esplanade Within the realm of modern dance, Alvin Ailey's "Revelations" and Paul Taylor's "Esplanade" present two distinct yet captivating choreographic narratives, evoking emotions and physical sensations that are as diverse as the dances themselves. My critique of these two works is written such that you would understand my thoughts on their uses of Laban elements and more to enhance the viewing experience of the works. In “Revelations”, the opening sequence begins with a sequence of sustained and forceful movements, anchoring the dancers centerstage before gradually expanding to use the entire space available. The use of light gestures in time with the tune complements the oncoming crescendo of energy, providing a balance between the striking visuals and music. I firmly believe this is making use of the Laban element of time, as seen with the pacing and rhythm of the performance. “Esplanade,” on the other hand, takes the opposing approach, notably by emphasizing the use of space and level. The dancer’s movements are expansive and playful, playing into that idea of space. Furthermore, the near-cacophony of movements combined with the music was simply satisfying to watch. Some of the movements actually made me think of a Daniel Labelle skit, funnily enough. Now, as for the music, the instrumentals are used very well to convey the choreographer’s intent with each movement. In “Revelations”, the almost spiritual melody serves as an emotional backdrop of sorts, whilst “Esplanade” relies on a much more classical theme that provides an abundance of ambiance. To be more precise, it gives a very… sophisticated feeling to the dance. “Revelations” use of movement is meant to be powerful. Within the modern dance tradition, the force of movement seen here acts as a medium for storytelling. Each sequence is meant to symbolize the different aspects of the African-American experience and I found that the choreographer meant to evoke an emotional response from the audience via immersion within a journey; one of history, spirituality, and cultural resilience. Back to “Esplanade,” it’s use of choreography, thanks to Mr. Paul Taylor, uses a far more ‘removed’ and abstract style of dance. It doesn’t give me a specific feeling of storytelling, like “Revelations” does, but a more free and flowy feeling. As I noted prior, it’s a very active work involving movements that seem somewhat random yet controlled, so you could say the choreographer’s intent was again, the exact opposite of Ailey’s, entertainment. It used timing and spacing as a tool to enhance the sensory experience to put the viewer in the moment of the dance in the same way yet different. In terms of the similarities in the dances, I noticed that the dancers go barefoot the entire time. The dancers doing so actually made me think of

‘grounding’ oneself, so I figured the choreographers had the same kind of inspiration: authenticity. The outfits the dancers wore were designed such that whilst Revelations featured a historical theme of authenticity, “Esplanade” allowed the dancers to move unrestricted, meaning they’d be physically that much more connected with the audience. Alvin Ailey masterfully fulfills his intent within “Revelations”, leaving a powerful impact on the audience. The dancers' embodiment of history and spirituality is mesmerizing. The choreography, paired with the soul-stirring music, creates an emotionally charged performance. My thoughts on the dance conclude with respect to the one that crafted the dance containing a story within movement alone. Paul Taylor's role in “Esplanade” was providing the intent to celebrate movement and human connection. The piece exudes a sense of joy and wonderment, leaving the audience with a feeling of exuberance. I appreciate the man for the complexity of his choreography design and the sheer athleticism of the dancers. In conclusion, both "Revelations" and "Esplanade" are exemplary modern dance pieces, each encapsulating distinct styles and choreographic intentions. Just to reiterate, both “Revelations” and “Esplanade” are different in how they present the dances, different in style, intent, and even the emotional pulls they show; Emotional storytelling versus abstraction from worry, both distinctly showcase a broad range of possibilities within modern dancing and that, is beauty at it’s finest. As an observer, my personal experience was greatly enriched through the contrasting and compelling narratives presented by these two masterful choreographers.

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