Week 12 Dance Article/Maida review/video Brian Buck installation/Helanius Piece

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/performance-and-dance/2011/10/21/not-what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-dance-films/-

An upbeat preview about an evening of dance video work by Maida Wither's. Having been at the event it was interesting reading this preview. Although I enjoyed the details of Maida's personal endeavors, I was missing imagery fromthe video's.  I wonder if previewers watch the piece before they write their preview or if most of the time there is only time for a phone conversation.  I'm interested in dance writing, so I'm curious.

I wrote some descriptions of the videos...

The upscale green screen was spectacled with 70's floral prints and pinks, offsetting Tveta's melancholy face and effortless dancing; whimsical meets iron curtain as the chain crisscrosses her bouncy path.

“Tuk” was an epilogue of southwest rock and ancient blue sky with the bare boned dancers bringing to life the petroglyphs with which they danced.


Brian Buck's Installation- Too slow to keep my attention, but perhaps that was Brian's point.  The view from his double window was warm and familiar, inviting the viewer to dip their toes into their own comforting river down the road.  However, like a friend, if not paid attention to, this environment too will disappear.

Helanius’ s Piece for Choreography- Strong imagery, the almost naked boy shaking deliberately is still in my bones. "Flesh" took an idea and stuck with it throughout the piece. I can still feel the first woman's more peaceful approach, and perhaps wish there was more of that experience in this work. However, as Helanius’ s program notes state, the dancer's interest seemed to be centered around this act of discomfort, irritation, uncomfortableness. "Flesh" made me as a viewer depressed at the state of these dancers "in their own skin," and made me question what specifically is in our society that is creating such  unrest.