Choose one of the themes that you discussed earlier in class and consider it in greater depth. Find examples of Commercial dance that expresses this theme and explain how they relate in detail. Many dance styles have their origins in social or political events throughout history. The Slave Trade was just one of these events that brought about the development of dance styles still used today. Europeans went to West Africa and kidnapped Africans taking them to The New World (America and the Carrabin) to be sold as slaves. Carob-Indians already lived in the Carrabin and were also forced into slavery. Slaves were sold as a commodity and by law were not seen as people but instead viewed as property. ‘By the 1750’s, 5,000 Africans a year were taken to America.’ ‘With New York having the 2nd largest slave population’ (Slavery and the Making of America: Vol. II Liberty in the Air, 2005) Slavery was a great way for owners to increase their income. They had free labour and owned slaves children as soon as they were born at no extra cost. As a result of this families and loved ones were separated as children were sold to other plantations once they were old enough to be of use. Slaves were not permitted to go to visit removed loved ones. Any attempt to leave would result in punishment. These punishments could include’… cart whipping, beating with a stick, sometimes too the breaking of bones, the chain, an iron crook about the neck... a ring about the ankle, and confinement in the dungeon. There have been instances of slitting of ears, breaking of limbs, so as to make amputation necessary, beating out of eyes, and castration...’ (Simkin, 1997) Slaves were having their identities removed and were being reduced to less than human beings. The only thing they had left was the preservation of African values and beliefs. This arguably became their way of rebellion. One African tradition was that of dancing. As Africa is such a massive country inevitably, each colony and tribe from across this vast continent had their own slightly different individual way of dancing. Slaves were given Sundays off because their Master were Christian and Sunday was seen as Gods day. This was another way for masters to strip slaves of their identity and force their own beliefs and ideologies onto them. Slaves would often use these Sundays as a day of celebration. They would dance and this is where the different styles of dance began to merge. As these styles merged new ideas began to mix with existing traditions. Slaves would comically mimic there masters sniffing Tabaco and a dance known as the Cake Walk emerged. ‘These Slave's would have some fun with such a dignified walking, flirting, prancing, strutting, bowing low, waving canes, doffing hats, done in a high kicking grand promenade.’ ‘For their 'Sunday entertainment', the plantation owners started having contests to prove to the other who had the best slave walker which would give the evolution of the Cake being given as a prize.’ (Watson, 2014) This is where the name cake walk came from. Slaves often had chains placed around there ankles to prevent them from attempting to escape and were not permitted to talk to one another whilst working. This meant they needed to create a new way of communicating. Gradually they began to develop a way of communication through slaps and shuffles using only the small amount of movement possible with their feet. As time went on and the Slave Trade ended this way of communicating lived on in the form of tap dancing. These stamps and shuffles along with the rhythmical patterns used became more complex becoming a form of expressive entertainment. The movements and rhythms slowly began to become more structured as a set vocabulary of movement began to emerge. Events in history and the struggles and experiences of individuals are often influential in the development of dance styles. Dance is used as a way of expression and during times of hardship it is often used in new ways to help make situations bearable. This is evident in the events of the slave trade and the dance that came out of this horrifying event. Bibliography: Davidson, B. (1980). The African slave trade. Boston: Little, Brown. Du Bois, W. (1965). The suppression of the African slave-trade to the United States of America, 1638-1870. New York: Russell & Russell. Slavery and the Making of America: Vol. II Liberty in the Air. (2005). [DVD] Ambrose video publishing incorporated: Ambrose DVD. Watson, S. (2012). Comedy Cakewalk (1903) Americus Quartet as perform.. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP2bVd_x0Ig [Accessed 14 Dec. 2014]. Spartacus Educational, (2014). Slave Punishments. [online] Available at: http://spartacus-educational.com/USASpunishments.htm [Accessed 14 Dec. 2014]. Innercity.org, (2014). Chronology on the History of Slavery 1619 to 1789. [online] Available at: http://www.innercity.org/holt/slavechron.html [Accessed 14 Dec. 2014]. Britishandamericanslavery1500-2000.blogspot.co.uk, (2007). British and American Slavery 1500 -2000: Britain The Slaving Pioneers 1500 -. [online] Available at: http://britishandamericanslavery1500-2000.blogspot.co.uk/2007/01/britain-and-slave-trade-slaving.html [Accessed 14 Dec. 2014]. Watson, S. (2014). Cakewalk Dance |Chalk Line Walk|Walk Around|Origin. [online] Streetswing.com. Available at: http://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3cake1.htm [Accessed 14 Dec. 2014]. Here is a short clip to demonstrate what the Cake Walk would have looked like.
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Look at Commercial music and find examples of Contemporary dance techniques used within them. Analyse the effectiveness of this and comment on the purpose. Often, Commercial musicians make use of contemporary dance techniques within their videos. Often this is done through movement which provides a narrative. However, in some cases the movement used is abstract drawing on themes within the lyrics to enable the viewer to question the notions presented and draw their own conclusions. This can be highly effective in creating an intriguing piece of art.
Will Young often makes use of Contemporary dance techniques in his music videos. A particular example of this is his ‘Losing Myself’ video. The song seems to take a solemn look at the struggle faced when trying to avoid following the status quo and becoming what society expects rather than staying true to one’s self. The video utilises a quartet consisting of four men including Will Young himself. They seem to switch from representing four men to one single individual which is where the contemporary technique becomes effective. To begin the four men perform pedestrian like movement in front of a mirror. They perform everyday tasks such as brushing their teeth and shaving in a choreographed and almost robotic manner. This reflects the words used in the lyrics portraying the ease at which one can easily slip in to following the norm and becoming almost a clone. As the piece continues this style is similarly used in a kitchen pouring and drinking coffee, further reflecting and enhancing the significance of the song. This later develops as the four dances seem to become one. They stand one behind the other and perform actions to varying degrees. The action of sitting is broken down into several stages with each dancer stopping at a different point. This enforces the notion that as humans we all appear to be doing the same things in the same manner in order to be accepted. By incorporating Contemporary dance into his video Young enables a deeper meaning to become clear. His use of movement is abstract meaning rather than providing a narrative it simply enhances purpose and meaning. According to Will Young himself the album ‘Echoes’ from which this song is taken portrays, in parts, ‘the solemn heartbreak of an Outsider’. (Young, 2014) This is evident within this track and particularly through the choreography. The desire that exists to be one’s self is being shadowed by the necessity of being ‘normal’ in order to fit in with society. In contrast, the Policia video ‘Wandering Star’ makes use of narrative within its use of Contemporary dance. The video depicts an elderly woman, presumably an ex-artist, aiming to regain her sense of purpose in a world that views her as outdated. One by one pictures come ‘alive’ and attempt to assist her in regaining her excitement for creating art until finally she seems to find peace and contentment within herself. The video culminates in a large ensemble section with many ‘blank canvases’ moving together and gradually becoming covered in paint until finally only the artist is left lying in a crucifix covered in paint and seemingly content within herself and her life. Each dancer portraying a painting moves with an individual dynamic. The first, a male dancers seeming to depict some sort of tribal warrior like character moves with a strong controlled quality whilst moving around the woman. In contrast to this, whilst in contact with her he seems to be sensitive as he delicately strokes her face and places his head in her hands. Following this, a female dancer emerges. She seems more aggressive in her actions both in her contact with the women and her movement around her. She makes extensive use of isolated movement with each action she makes being particularly sharp and a lot of the shapes angular. A male dancer wearing feathered shorts is next to emerge. His actions are slow and fluid with moments of stillness between movements. As he approaches the women she seems almost fearful of his screwing up her face as he attempts to place his hands on her face. Finally, a women dressed in an Edwardian esc manner appears. Her actions are almost seductive. It seems as if she is trying to persuade the elderly artist to be free as she raises her arms and encourages her to look to the skies. By making use of these different dynamics and qualities not only does this make the piece more interesting but it may also be perceived to show different qualities within the elderly women both as a person and within her work. Using contemporary dance techniques within commercial music videos is a great way of enhancing what the lyrics are trying to communicate. It also creates a more interesting piece that captures audiences' imagination and ultimately, hopefully enhances record sales. Bibliography Young, W. (2014). About Will Young. Available: http://www.willyoung.co.uk/global/biography. Last accessed 15th Nov 2014. POLICA, (2012). POLICA - Wandering Star (Official Music Video). [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX4iIPlwS5c [Accessed 22 Oct. 2014]. Will Young - Losing Myself. (2012). [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c19BbGGJU5E [Accessed 22 Nov. 2014]. |