Gideon Obarnazek Post Modern Dance Analysis
The art form of dance has been present on this planet for centuries, creating and inspiring people all around the world. Over time, some dance forms have evolved to mould society’s expectation and perspectives, while some have actually grown to question and scare it. Created in a time of change and cultural awakening, Post Modern Dance was seeded by performers in search of a new meaning to dance in a changing world. Since its beginning in the 60/70’s, the style has pushed the boundaries of dance and paved the way for Contemporary and Lyrical. Gideon Obarnazek, a postmodern choreographer creates a modernist piece for the chunky moves dance company that positions the company & himself in the Australian as “one of the best choreographers in Australia”.
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In Obarnazeks piece “Digital Moves”, the creative team incorporates heavy use of Lighting. Choreographed to be sight specific, the lighting reacts and responds to the dancer’s movements, resembling a live art piece. Gideon Obarnazek uses a lighting engineer to cleverly design a rig of lighting that creates atmosphere and symbolism. An example of this can be seen when the performers are seen centre stage, the bodies lying still on the floor as the lighting reflects bars, as if to represent a prison cell or claustrophobic space. The dancers perform within the suggested “prison cell” projection, suspended in the image. Due to the sight specific choreography, as the dancers interact and move, they choreograph the light, bringing it life and giving it purpose. This becomes a constant theme throughout the work, the continuation of dark and angsts lighting evokes fear and worry. The stage itself acts as a non-movement component in this production. The stage tilts up, providing and creating a new angle for audience members to witness, and performers to dance on. Stating that “flat is boring”, Obarnazek presents a new weightlessness to dance, breaking down the “four wall stereotype” and opening up the stage for 360 degree viewing, the constant changing matter of the stage could represent unstableness and risk with purpose to show “another level” of emotion. Music is also a non-movement component that helps to evoke
In Obarnazeks piece “Digital Moves”, the creative team incorporates heavy use of Lighting. Choreographed to be sight specific, the lighting reacts and responds to the dancer’s movements, resembling a live art piece. Gideon Obarnazek uses a lighting engineer to cleverly design a rig of lighting that creates atmosphere and symbolism. An example of this can be seen when the performers are seen centre stage, the bodies lying still on the floor as the lighting reflects bars, as if to represent a prison cell or claustrophobic space. The dancers perform within the suggested “prison cell” projection, suspended in the image. Due to the sight specific choreography, as the dancers interact and move, they choreograph the light, bringing it life and giving it purpose. This becomes a constant theme throughout the work, the continuation of dark and angsts lighting evokes fear and worry. The stage itself acts as a non-movement component in this production. The stage tilts up, providing and creating a new angle for audience members to witness, and performers to dance on. Stating that “flat is boring”, Obarnazek presents a new weightlessness to dance, breaking down the “four wall stereotype” and opening up the stage for 360 degree viewing, the constant changing matter of the stage could represent unstableness and risk with purpose to show “another level” of emotion. Music is also a non-movement component that helps to evoke