3. Chosen Practitioner
While researching for my chosen practitioner, I came across ‘A Choreographer’s Handbook’ by Jonathan Burrows. Learning about an established practitioner’s choreographic process will help aid and inspire my own choreographic process. In the book, Burrows draws upon different tasks and advice for creating work, referencing his own work and influences from other practitioners such as Merce Cunningham. Some principles which particularly interested me are limitations, stillness and silence and chance methods. Burrows describes limitations as “liberating” (Burrows, 2010), upon reflection I have identified the influence of this principle in his work ‘Hands’ which exclusively shows the movement of the hands while sitting on a chair. Placing the limitation of only using one body part allowed for very intriguing and original movement.
 |
| (Burrows, 2010) |
 |
| (Burrows, 2010) |
Burrows previously danced for The Royal Ballet before starting his choreographic career. Most of his work has been in collaboration with composer Matteo Fargion, including ‘Both Sitting Duet’ (2002), ‘The Quiet Dance’ (2005) and ‘Body Not Fit for Purpose’ (2014) (Foundation for Contemporary Arts, n.d.). While I haven’t seen any of Burrow’s work live, I have been watching his recorded works online, I was particularly drawn to his older works; ‘Blue/Yellow’ (1995), danced by Sylvie Guillem and ‘The Stop Quartet’ (1996). I feel that these pieces are closer to my movement style which will help inspire me during my own choreographic process. His classical background relates to me as a dancer, and I believe researching Burrows will allow me to discover and explore more about myself and my own choreographic process and material.
Using written and visual resources in conjunction have been helpful while researching Burrows’ work and processes as it has enabled me not only to read about how he creates but also see it in action. While watching his pieces it became obvious where he has used principles which he has written about in his book. As someone who is in a choreographic process themselves, this was insightful to me and has helped me set goals for what I want the audience to see and perceive. The research has also helped me view the choreographic process in a new way. Instead of placing a lot of pressure on myself when I’m not feeling creative, Burrows instead places emphasis on just doing what you can, when you can.
“No preparation is also preparation, so long as that’s the way you need to work right now”
“How much time have you got? Maybe that’s the right amount of time.”
“Even a little is enough”.
(Burrows, 2010 pp. 54-55).
Reference list
Burrows, J. (2010). A choreographer’s handbook. Oxon: Routledge.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts (n.d.). Jonathan Burrows | FCA Grant Recipient. [online] www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org. Available at: https://www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/recipients/jonathan-burrows/ [Accessed 26 Oct. 2021].
Roberts, A. (2016). blue/yellow. [online] Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/155541053 [Accessed 26 Oct. 2021].
Youtube (2010). Blue Yellow - Sylvie Guillem - Jonathan Burrows -. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DdVwjg2UMg [Accessed 26 Oct. 2021].
Bibliography
Burrows&Fargion (2020a). Body Not Fit For Purpose (2014). [online] Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/383040702 [Accessed 26 Oct. 2021].
Burrows&Fargion (2020b). Hands (1995). [online] Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/388689595 [Accessed 26 Oct. 2021].
Burrows&Fargion (2020c). The Stop Quartet (1996). [online] Vimeo. Available at: https://vimeo.com/388686366 [Accessed 26 Oct. 2021].
Comments
Post a Comment