.. coming to an end

I feel I have definitely developed my ideas during the many weeks that it has taken to produce this journal.

The topic of this journal was rather open - but I enjoyed not have a restricted topic because having this topic ensured that the ideas I had about the internet and dance where able to be developed.

As I am always near my laptop, the online blog was very useful when trying to write down my thoughts as they emerged!

I really liked how I was able to let not only my research guide the direction of this journal, but my thoughts as well.

Blown away!

This contemporary video that blew me away!! -



This video is what I would call a site specific performance and is similarity with an alleyway! I was pretty happy when I came across this video because it shows me how shadows, lights and scenographic elements can positively effect a dance!

Trying something new..

There are endless possibilities with the topic Internet and dance, today as I saw a poster at university - the thought occurred to me that I have not yet looked at this topic from a cultural perspective.

...... I have spent awhile searching and the fact is, no matter what cultural dance you wanting to find out about it seems like the internet can help you out!!

There is just so much on all kinds of dance - I even stumbled across other online blogs!



Below is an image of Japanese contemporary dance -

Keeping the journal..

This topic has been quite suitable with my other assignment, because the internet has helped develop my ideas for my piece.

Taking what I have learned from the website provided in a previous post, I have been brainstorming about my own piece.

The internet provides answers to so many queries that a person may have regarding contemporary dance!!

Site Specific performance

The location that has been chosen for our end of semester dance performance is in an Alley way.

This journal has been good to keep, because it is such an open topic. The research and knowledge I am gaining from writing these journal entries is really interesting to me.

I found a website which described what a site specific performance was.
What I have learned from this website I will be able to put into practice when I am choreographing for my assignment!

The article expresses that a site specific performance is just that - a dance which is specific to that site, 'the site becomes very much a part of the dance itself'.

http://contemporarydance.suite101.com/article.cfm/sitespecific_dance_and_new_performance_spaces

Chair Dance

Very early on in this semester we discussed the question of 'what is Dance?'. People have different opinions on what it really is, but I feel its best left undefined.

When researching last night I came across the site ' TED Talks - Ideas worth spreading'. I searched through the talks on this show and found one which I feel is connected with the question of what dance is.

The talk I am referring to is by Arthur Ganson, he shows that dance does not have to be executed by a human, but rather objects can dance too.

The whole clip is extremely amazing, with the way he has taken objects and combined them with movement. The segment I am particularly interested in starts at 12.43 (so skip forward to that part if you wish)

Chair dance :

The soundtrack which plays whilst the chair dances adds to the overall 'show'. I love that dance has moved away from restrictions and with the help of the internet has evolved, as now people do not consider dance soley as something which is carried out by a human.

How to dance properly!!

When researching more about about dance and the internet I came across a webpage which had a clip called 'How to dance properly', I thought that it would be a cool thing to include in my blog, so I researched it a bit further. It has proven to be quite an example of how dance is part of the internet.

In 2001, Ze Frank designed an online birthday invitation which sparked a large amount of attention. The invite can be viewed by clicking this link -


http://www.zefrank.com/invite/swfs/index2.html

The invitation shows different dance moves that he has choreographed and named. Ze Frank was also on a show called TED talks - which can be accessed online. The invite was original and caused thousands of people to visit the site to see the dancing invite of 'how to dance properly'.

Learning Contemporary..

I have discovered the internet has many videos on dance shows or dance lessons teaching you certain moves.

I have become quite addicted to watching the videos on one particular site.

There are multiple videos on this website and they go through the basics of contemporary dance.
The videos are easy to follow and I love watching them. The videos cover torso contractions, side and circular stretches, retires and much more!



The videos can be accessed through this website:

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/9839-contemporary-dance-for-beginners

Butterworth's model

The sheet we were given in class has been stuck on my pin board and I noticed it today as I was choreographing for Assignment Four (Choreography presentation).

I decided to see what information I could find out about the model online. - however, I got pulled in another direction by this great website -

http://www.butterdance.org/ - Butterworth Dance Company.

This site provides evidence that dance is being combined with technology - as the site's homepage has a continuous video playing from the moment you click in to it.

The videos captivated me and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them. I feel that if this website had not included videos on their homepage I would not have included it in my blog.

The videos grabbed my attention and I think that could be a reason why, some people believe that technology is the future for dance, as it draws people in, makes them watch and lets them enjoy.

Cheoreographing in class!

Today my teacher provided me with a sheet which sets out the characteristics of different kinds of choreographers, the sheet is much more helpful then the information I found online. The sheet got me thinking about my own personal approach to the next assignment.

Learning to be a cheoreographer online..

Another assessment for PHSE 235 is choreographing a 3-5 minute piece in a site specific location.

I have looked up different websites which offer advice on how to choreograph a dance and found they are quite different to one another.

The websites I like best are:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2060692_choreograph-dance-routine.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Choreograph-a-Dance

Black Grace

Whenever I am working on this journal I am always amazed at how much the internet truly is a gateway to discovery and knowledge of contemporary dance.

The internet allows me to watch and enjoy various Black Grace performances, I don't have to leave my room - I can choose to pause the show, or re-watch certain segments, which is something that can not be done during live performances.

I think it is just amazing what I can be found online! I found an interview with Neil Leremia. Neil is the artistic director and founder of the company. The interview increased my knowledge of Black Grace and I will attach it to this post.

Putting a New Zealand twist on it..

I have always held an interest in Black Grace, New Zealand's leading contemporary dance company, ever since my older sister took me to see one of their shows in Auckland.



Their website is =
http://www.blackgrace.co.nz/

On this website there is a production archive which allows people to read up on previous performances they have had.

Black grace makes use of technology in their performances, as they use projection of images onto screens during their shows.

Searching Contemporary Dance

.....When I typed in 'Contemporary Dance' into google there were - 26,200,000 results.
There were three contemporary dance videos which I watched- all three seemed perfect.


... An hour later.. when I re-googled the word contemporary dance - 32,300,000 results where found.

This time Images of contemporary dance were on the first page :




I find it interesting that the number of results vary, I view it as proof that the connection of dance and the internet is forever changing!

Technology- dance on screen

Michelle Mahrer discusses the way that technology can change dance.

In Mahrer's opinion the moving body is 'the essential element in the film landscape' (p.95). Technology has shaped the way people view things and absorb information, camera angles and lighting and manipulate the way an image is shown.

Technology plays a role in the way people view dance. Amy Greenfield (American dance film-maker/choreographic) suggests that a camera comes in between dancer and viewer, as it controls what the viewer sees and in her opinion: 'the viewer doesn't see the dance directly' (p.95)

From- 'Is technology the future for dance?' (1996)

Andy and Jane Arthur

Andy and Jane Arthur are writers of an article in 'Is there technology the future of dance?' .The reading does not link directly with the internet, but fits nicely as its a discussion of dance and technology.

Andy and Jane Arthur share their opinions on dance and technology and list some of the ways in which dance has made use of technology.

- The human body is not made to be able to stand on the points of toes. In ballet there is an illusion created through the technology of pointe shoes - they create the effect that dancers are weightlessness.

-Dance outfits which are made form lycra 'incorporates sophisticated clothing technology'

- Still or moving images of live/pre recorded events when they are projected onto a screen technology is being used greatly.