In the confusion and shapes of my mind I wonder, when did it become all so popular to get naked on stage? Was it in the beginning of the 70's (1971) in Denmark, with Dødens Triumf? -where Royal ballet dancer Vivi Flindt, together with the Danish Royal Ballet jumped into it? Was it then that it back here, in little Denmark, became modern? or was it before? It must have been.
In 1969 artist Bjørn Nørgaard, he who created das Schalfende Man after which our current performance is named, got a woman- his wife, to walk naked through "Børsen" with a cross in her hand and a wish to start a debate on the values of the capitalistic society. At the time this caused great harm, I don't think it would today though - We have seen it to often, become to familiar with the naked body and yet we seem afraid of it - or some do.
Tonight at the performance _ which I, Joy, Natalia and Simon went to see, I took my self in wondering if that was the "it" now or if that it was long past! Are you only a real dancer if you dare to put your self naked on the stage? Or the contrary- are you only a real dancer if you stand against?
That brings the question however is there a such thing as a real dancer?
I am wondering if the mess in my mind could lead me into too many mindless discussions (which would prob. only be with me, unless someone comments on this blog???). I wonder if I will ever dare to make a naked performance - it need be awfully good, as I unfortunately have seen nakedness become a hiding place for too many a choreographer...
I like anatomy and I like to draw, and so I find that sometimes a naked body on a stage is pretty - but if I start thinking about anatomy and drawings, properly I didn't think too much of the performance... I have seen it so many times by now, that I am beginning to find it more daring to put a real boring piece of choreography on the stage with costumes - i wouldn't do it myself... but then again, Naked isn't my artistic style... not unless it is in photographs... or damn(pardon my french) ugly and fat - then it becomes interesting!!! I like the ugly, I like the old, find old, in many ways more interesting, and fat too - not healthy too, but too skinny isn't healthy either...
I start then to think of the ancient greeks - the statues of the the Gods, the athletes and I wonder, weren't they naked when doing sports too? Is being naked in public really just a natural part of who we are- Adam and Eve were naked to begin with - and so they got a taste of the apple and learned of proper, if it is legit to call naked improper?
Too many thoughts, so many other places I odd to be focusing on right now!!!
When talking about nudes I come to think about our sweet designer of our costumes Ben Boutros- I never imagined that the drawings, put in the right hands, could come to look like they did! the dancers look magical - Thank you Ben!!! He is truly magic and I cant wait till he starts his own brand! Hopefully soon Ben!!!
The dance is standing at a still.. With less than a week to go, I have reached the famous don't like period, that time where you have looked at your choreography so many times, that you start to hate it, luckily I know that it is always followed by a like.. And that makes me calm!!!
The deadlines aren't completely kept, waiting for the last editing on the music score... but when that is in shore, everything should be in ordnung!
Next week we will be joined by some of our board members and also we have an intern from a media line at a school in town, We are counting down to our big premiere, and we hope you will all join in when we launch the first production of Filomusi at Aros, Musikhuset, Lille scenen and Århus Domkirke in Århus, and the stage at Carlsberghallerne in Copenhagen!!!
Dance is being celebrated all over the world these days and we hope all our colleagues out there is doing a great job spreading the steps of dance... We wish them luck and lots of joy ( that word has a whole new meaning after having met joy- still joyous though ;))
Smiles, hope and inspiration
Julie Brøgger
I saw the nudes of which you speak last night too! Funnily enough, I thought it was rather beautiful. It reminded me of Leonardo da Vinci's 'Vitruvian Man' and after a while I forgot they were naked. The nudity seemed to be like a costume after a while and I thought of the English expression 'birthday suit' (sweet slang for having no clothes on!). It's nice to see the human body in an artistic context, like with 'croquis' drawings, instead of the very one-dimensional way in which nudity is viewed by society. The piece was great I thought, the most exciting thing I've seen in ages.
ReplyDeleteSo I think the nudity in 'Twilight of the Oceans' 'worked' and wasn't exploitative. But I agree it does seem to be all the rage in dance at the moment. There doesn't seem to be a dance advert in town that doesn't have exposed body parts on it at the moment. I don't think dancing in the buff makes you a real dancer, and it shouldn't be something you are forced to do, but a choice. I think the quality of your expression makes you a real dancer, whether you are naked or wrapped in a plastic bag!
Very much looking forward to seeing 'The Sleeping Man' at the end of April :)
Hi Ingrid:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on your comments of the dancers wearing the nudity as a costume yesterday... Actually in this particular piece I was quite amazed as how it was used... How they weren't afraid, but danced as they would with costumes. I was amazed about how honest the choreographer was to his steps and his idea and how his idea fitted well with the music... My attention was cought most of the time, unfortunately not all the time... But the amazement of the dancers and their technique was there!!! I think the rest of the audience agree with us, from the sound of the applause yesterday:)
As you mention there was a part of athleticm over the dance or idea of Leonardo da Vinci- he was a student of the mathematics, anatomy and drawings as well as I recall!?
I am looking forward to see you at our premiere of "the Sleeping Man":o)