Light Art Dance Rehearsals 2
Rehearsing in the space at the Friedrich-Naumann-Saal was an interesting experience. The space is long and narrow, highlighted by the way I have chosen to place the audience. They are sitting along the sides of the hall on both sides. I took time during the rehearsal to sit in all parts of the audience to get a feel for each different view on both sides and ends. It has an interesting effect. The side on view is really reflective of a landscape. Think printing a page in landscape form or the horizon as one looks out across a field. This is a conscious decision from me to widen the space, rather than have it focused in one clear picture. Of course it creates a challenge as to where to focus ones attention, though that is my job as a choreographer to highlight moments attracting the audiences eye. It also has the effect that I was looking at the dance with a broader gaze which makes it more atmospheric rather than specific and intricate. I’m interested to hear from others if that is also their experience as they see the performance.
Provisionally I placed some lights in the room, yet it is a conundrum how to light the piece. We are not really creating spaces this time, rather using light like side lighting to pick up the bodies in space. Yet there are restrictions because I have the audience on both sides and also the projection screen at one end. The screen in itself is not an issue, but when I have light coming from the same direction, the contrast of the projection is diminished. So as usual it will be about experimenting in the limited time that I have. My original plan was to have as a basic setup 4 lights on tripods in each of the four corners, high enough that they are not in the direct view. It’s still worth a try, but I also found lighting from the floor was more effective, bouncing it down into the wood floor and using the reflection in the room. Floor light bars as an extra are an option, yet due to the space, they would have to come from under the seating so it is questionable if they would be effective. Lots to think about here.
The piece itself is split into 17 moments, some combined, some separate, all around the theme landscape. I could categories them as dance scenes, performance scenes and projection scenes though each scene has parts of all three. With the selection of the music, I have tried to create a homogenous soundtrack that still has contrast to create the ups and downs of a journey, while still reflecting each individual moment.
Choreographically I am through the production (well there are always small changes) and now the intensive work really begins! Cleaning and defining in greater detail the how and why of the movement for the dancers is the next step. It is working on the quality of the movement and deepening its meaning by explaining what the parts are about, giving examples, metaphors and pictures to connect them with its feeling and help them express and interpret the moments we have created. I will also be making subtle changes to improve flow and increase the dynamic of the piece. It’s a never ending process to grow, refine and develop the choreography. In the end, the performance itself is just a snapshot of how far we have come.
First Rehearsal in the Friedrich Naumann Saal