The Music Center's Study Guide to the Performing Arts
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DANCEMUSIC TRADITIONAL ARTISTIC PERCEPTION (AP) ® CLASSICAL CREATIVE EXPRESSION (CE) Artsource CONTEMPORARY HISTORICAL & CULTURAL CONTEXT (H/C) The Music Center’s Study Guide to the Performing Arts EXPERIMENTAL AESTHETIC VALUING (AV) MULTI-MEDIA CONNECT, RELATE & APPLY (CRA) ENDURING FREEDOM & THE POWER THE HUMAN TRANSFORMATION VALUES OPPRESSION OF NATURE FAMILY Title of Work: About The Artwork: The Brass Ring - Choreographed in 2000 The original theme of The Brass Ring was to be the Company: Pilobolus Dance Theatre relationship of art and sport. The dancers and Choreographed by Michael Tracy in collaboration with Ras choreographer, Michael Tracy, investigated the Greek Mikey C, Otis Cook, Mark Fucik, Renee Jaworski, Matt Kent and Jennifer Macavinta ideas behind the games of the first Olympics that took place in 776 B.C. They examined the art and sculpture Background Information: that emphasized the human form in action and Pilobolus Dance Theatre, a major American dance studied the geography of the land in Greece. The company of international influence, began in a exploration deepened to include games, competition Dartmouth College undergraduate dance class in 1971. and sportsmanship. Dancers improvised with the New to traditional modern dance technique, the original movements found in speed skating, the luge and bowling. founders, Jonathan Wolken and Moses Pendleton met in It’s title, The Brass Ring, came out of a moment in this class and were later joined by their dance teacher, rehearsal when dancer, Matt Kent, encouraged his Alison Chase, as well as Robert Barnett, Martha Clarke fellow dancers to “reach for the brass ring” that carousel and Michael Tracy. After much exploration and intense riders attempt to grab as the merry-go-round goes work they discovered a unique and highly original around. It had its premiere at the 2000 Olympic Games choreographic process that relied on collaboration and a in Salt Lake City. weight-sharing approach to partnering that resulted in Creative Process of the Artist or Culture: an exciting non-traditional dance vocabulary. Out of this Unlike traditional dance companies, Pilobolus pioneering and inventive spirit, the Pilobolus Dance choreographers do not give “steps” to the dancers to Theatre continues to create new works while keeping alive perform. The physical vocabu- a varied repertoire of past works under the leadership of lary for each of the company’s four artistic directors, all members of the original works is created by the dancers, company. The name Pilobolus comes from the first dance under the guidance of the choreog- they choreographed and refers to a real life phototrophic rapher(s) and emerges from (light reactive) fungus found in barnyards and pastures. intense periods of improvisation This tiny mushroom has a small eye that grows or moves and creative play. (Continued on in response to light, and when it is ready to reproduce page 2.) Connecticut can project its spores nearly eight feet into the air. This Photo: Courtesy of Pilobolus Dance Theatre little organism captures the essence of the way the “We have no rules.” company works and creates. Based in Washington, Pilobolus Dance Theatre Connecticut, Pilobolus Dance Theatre performs for stage and television audiences all over the world. More About the Creative Process: relationships. Perform these studies in small groupings The daring lifts, counterbalances, swinging sculptures and or arrange in tableaux, similar to the idea of figures contact improvisational elements emerged out of a deep placed in ancient wall friezes. commitment to a process of collaborative teamwork and • Use verbs and prepositions as starting points for trust rooted in improvisation and invention. Each new movement. Place the words on cards and arrange in sequence to design a small group dance study. dance project begins with several days of improvisation as Improvise with the elements of dance - time, space the director/choreographers help develop and build work and energy. Practice working in collaboration as a by presenting ideas or themes for the dancers to explore. team to find solutions to the problem. They observe the dancers and give them feedback to stimulate • Read one of the selected texts in Sample Lesson I the exploratory process. The dancers are not given directions and complete the writing task. Evaluate personal on “the how” of doing something. Rather, the information writing using the rubrics provided. that they receive helps them build on their discoveries. LEVEL II Discussion Questions: * • Survey student understanding of architecture. ® After the video has been viewed: Word web their responses. View the Artsource video • What impressions did you get from watching The Brass excerpt and observe the architectural elements that Ring excerpt? the choreographer and dancers used to create this • How did the dancers relate or respond to one another? piece. Identify specific terms such as arches, columns, • What evidence of a collaborative process do you see in lintels and buttresses and use these concepts in a dance study. the way the dancers move? • Architectural creations often receive distinctive • Music was an integral part of The Brass Ring. What nicknames as a result of their design and construction mood did the music suggest in this section? Did the dancing (i.e., The “Blue Whale” is the name of the Pacific go with the mood? Design Center in West Hollywood, California). Journalists frequently use metaphors to conjure Audio-Visual Materials: images in their descriptions of buildings. Visit or ® • Artsource video excerpts: The Brass Ring footage courtesy view selected architectural sites in the community. of Pilobolus Dance Theatre. Discuss and describe these building designs using • Photos: Courtesy of Pilobolus Dance Theatre. metaphors. These metaphors can serve as ideas for • Music by Gabriel Fauré, Pavane, Opus 50. Performed by dance studies. Earl Raney’s Epic Brass Quintet, arranged by Earl Raney, LEVEL III © 1984. Available in International Treasures, Ars Nova * • Explore basic physics concepts involving energy, Digital, DC#1004, © 1992. force, and motion. Create small group dance studies Additional References: that demonstrate some of the physics elements • Website: www.pilobolus.com observed in The Brass Ring excerpt. • Pilobolus and John Kane. The Human Alphabet. • Collaboration is a central factor in Pilobolus’ Roaring Brook Press, New Milford Conn. 2005. creative work and is also practiced by many groups in a democratic society. Do a web search to find out how Sample Experiences: (Secondary) collaboration is practiced in democratic institutions. LEVEL I Interview the individuals who are part of the • Using sports magazines, newspapers or photography decision-making processes. Find out how they work books, select a variety of active body shapes demonstrating with colleagues, members of the community and leg- sports. In small groups, create a dance study that islative members to create and pass new laws. sequences these shapes. In the sequence, include sport Research the origins of democracy. shapes that have a variety of different levels, facings and * Indicates sample lesson 2 DANCE SCENARIOS Dance Scenario: The Brass Ring The excerpt of Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s piece, The Brass Ring, begins in silence, the six dancers arranged in striking counter-balanced positions, forming an intricate sculpture. Gabriel Faure’s haunting music, Pavane, fills the air as the concluding segment of the nine section piece begins. The dancers slowly disassemble from their positions and reform into two trios, each group lifting and suspending a dancer between two supports, As these trios slowly travel a circular path in the space, they come together, lowering the suspended dancers onto the backs or “shelves” of two dancers. The lighting changes. The backdrop appearsto be filled with “stars” in the night sky. The dancers reform into trios and continue in a cascading progression of suspensions and weight-supported positions, changing their levels in space and shifting from vertical to horizontal planes. This beautifully executed work continues its fluid progression of timeless grace. The light fades to black with the dancers still in motion as Faure’s music ends, like stars dissolving in the night sky. MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTION The premiere performance of The Brass Ring took place at the 2000 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, an event that brings athletes of the participating countries of the world together to compete in a multiplicity of athletic events that inspire and celebrate physical power, ability and endurance. The Olympics have also been an arena for political intrigue and tragedy. Organized as part of a religious festival, the original Olympic Games were held in Ancient Greece (76 BC) at a place called Olympia. These early “games” took place within a culture that deeply valued all the arts and from whom we have inherited (among other things) classical literature, philosophy and our democratic ideals. Our museums are filled with their examples of the beauty of the human form in repose and action, an early marriage of art and sport. Discuss, research and write about some of these ideas. Consider the following topics: • Identify extraordinary physical accomplishments of athletes that move beyond sport into artistic expression, either in still photographs or performance (e.g., ice skating, track & field, gymnastics). • Research ancient Greek culture and write about their views on art, beauty and the human form. • Research the history