Artificial Things - Lucy Bennett

Question 1

Stimulus

Answer 1

The image of a snow-covered landscape with an isolated figure perched on a collapsed wheelchair.
The figure is being observed from afar as if through a snow globe.
Djurovic paintings.
The dancers’ personal experiences.

Question 2

Dance style

Answer 2

Contemporary

Question 3

Choreographic approach

Answer 3

Collaboration with stopgap’s dancers and they actively contribute to the process through choreographic tasks.
Much of the movement in our studied scene (scene 3) is driven by Laura’s movement in her wheelchair and has been translated by the standing dancers.

Question 4

Choreographic devices

Answer 4

Lack of a climax shows how they are on a journey to acceptance and normality.
Contrast of Amy and David performing an arm circling gesture to mirror Laura who performs the same gesture facing towards them in her wheelchair.
Motif of pulling another dancer towards them Dave and Laura and David and Dave.
Unison when Amy and David lunge and Laura leans forward in her chair.

Question 5

Choreographic intentions

Answer 5

Constricted in a snow globe.
Overcoming limitations by coming together.
Being subject to the gaze of the other.
Djoravic paintings.
The dancers personal memories.

Question 6

Structure

Answer 6

Duet of Dave and Laura.
Unity of the group during tumbling with Amy and David following Laura’s movement.
Solo of Dave’s solo.
Episodic form.

Question 7

Costume

Answer 7

Drips of blue and green paint on the clothes.
Gender specific clothes - Dave shorts and shirt/David trousers and shirt/Laura sleeveless top and trousers/Amy thigh length dress.
Amy wears dress to show leg extensions and Laura wears sleeveless top to show arm extensions.
Laura wears heels and the others are barefoot.

Question 8

Set design

Answer 8

Vitrine on its side at upstage left.
Mannequin and stools at upstage left.
Paper snow scattered on the floor from upstage left to downstage right.
Wooden border in a square around the dance floor.

Question 9

Lighting

Answer 9

Two white overhead spotlights downstage right and centre stage (D+L duet).
Blue wash (tumbleweed).
Deeper blue wash and two spotlights focused on upstage left (family portraits).
Amber sidelight to light upstage left (Dave’s solo-end he joins others).

Question 10

Aural setting

Answer 10

Thunder and wind (D+L duet)
Clock ticking (D+L duet)
Sleigh bells (tumbling)
The sunshine of your smile (Dave’s solo)

Question 11

Movement content

Answer 11

Dave pulls Laura’s legs towards him (D+L duet).
David reaches his hand out and pulls Dave who is sitting on the floor towards him (tumbleweed).
David and Amy lunge forward and Laura leans forward in her wheelchair (tumbling).
Dave strokes his face with his hand (Dave’s solo).

Question 12

Relationships

Answer 12

Contact - throughout the whole dance and it shows the support.
Complementary - Amy and David perform an arm circling gesture to mirror Laura who performs the same gesture facing towards them in her wheelchair.
Unison - Amy and David lunge and Laura leans forward in her chair.