2008 Woodie Awards
Dance Company Moves in Mysterious Ways
Freespace's Modern Dance Enthralls Some Yet Boggles Minds of Others
Michael T. Martin
Issue date: 9/23/04 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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The performance by Freespace, a national touring dance company, was quite an experience for the audience at Memorial Auditorium last Saturday night. For those who are fans of dance, particularly modern dance, it was an evening to savor the free expression of art. For the many who had never seen modern dance, the show was difficult to comprehend.
Modern dance developed in the early 1900's. The pioneers of modern dance were rebelling against the conventions of ballet and show dancing. They hoped to create a dance that more personally reflected the emotions of the human condition.
As time progressed, modern dance became even more experimental, both aesthetically and in thematic content; dancers performed without music, while choreographers did away with themes all together.
"In Shape and Space" was the first of four pieces on Saturday night. The yearning wails of an electric guitar swelled above the dimly lit stage as six scantily clad dancers walked on one large wooden box. Also on stage were a pyramid and cylinder, both of which the company played on as if they were jungle gyms.
Travis Love, a senior bachelor of fine arts major with a minor in dance, took the first solo. Love made a silhouette of himself as he perched atop a pyramid in front of a bright light. His arms moved only slightly. Suddenly, the sound of a fast approaching train was heard and Love, while grounded, chugged his arms to the beat of the train.
"In Shape and Space" moved slowly, as the dancers' movements were fluid, yet drawn out.
The second piece, "Arachnorapht," was a premiere courtesy of guest choreographer and performer, Kent Lindemer. The music began with a heavy beat but changed various times throughout the piece as the dancers gravitated from appearing paralyzed to being completely uninhibited. Clad in webbed shirts, the company leaped and twirled around the stage, sometimes at a feverish pace. At times, the dancers seemed to gel together. Finally, after continuing for a few minutes too long, the company paused as if they had reached the end of a progression.
Modern dance developed in the early 1900's. The pioneers of modern dance were rebelling against the conventions of ballet and show dancing. They hoped to create a dance that more personally reflected the emotions of the human condition.
As time progressed, modern dance became even more experimental, both aesthetically and in thematic content; dancers performed without music, while choreographers did away with themes all together.
"In Shape and Space" was the first of four pieces on Saturday night. The yearning wails of an electric guitar swelled above the dimly lit stage as six scantily clad dancers walked on one large wooden box. Also on stage were a pyramid and cylinder, both of which the company played on as if they were jungle gyms.
Travis Love, a senior bachelor of fine arts major with a minor in dance, took the first solo. Love made a silhouette of himself as he perched atop a pyramid in front of a bright light. His arms moved only slightly. Suddenly, the sound of a fast approaching train was heard and Love, while grounded, chugged his arms to the beat of the train.
"In Shape and Space" moved slowly, as the dancers' movements were fluid, yet drawn out.
The second piece, "Arachnorapht," was a premiere courtesy of guest choreographer and performer, Kent Lindemer. The music began with a heavy beat but changed various times throughout the piece as the dancers gravitated from appearing paralyzed to being completely uninhibited. Clad in webbed shirts, the company leaped and twirled around the stage, sometimes at a feverish pace. At times, the dancers seemed to gel together. Finally, after continuing for a few minutes too long, the company paused as if they had reached the end of a progression.