Introduction
Jiri Kylian’s black and white modern dance ballet (EAG, 2020) took place in the Netherland’s Dans Theatre on April 21st, 2020. This dance show consists of six dances. The black and white modern ballet dance style is shown in this dance concert. The choreographer of this dance concert is Jiri Kylian and the music is by Johan Sabastian Batch. The music is produced by W. A Mozart. This dance concert is available on YouTube.
Analysis
Themes
The black and white modern ballet dance is the infusion of traditional ballet style technique with the modern dance of dynamic thrust and emotions in Jiri Kylian’s choreography. A unique contemporary style is created in this dance form which involves both modern dance techniques and traditional ballet dance techniques. The black and white theme is inculcated in this dance concert. The musical tones used for the music are produced by W.A Mozart. The strong and fast musical tone accentuated the contemporary dance movements. Overall, the black and white theme and mixture of two dance styles show modernism, sexuality, and freedom from the old forms of dance techniques.
Critical Analysis of Falling Angels
The main dance which is the focus of this analysis is Falling Angels. The female dancers use their elegant dance moves to show their feminine objectification. The dance moves along with the musical tone reflect the pleas of women for liberty, freedom, and the objectification by the masculine power. The name of this dance is also called falling angel which provides a foreground for us to understand its embedded theme. The sharp moves are followed by graceful, smooth, and elegant lines by the females. The graceful dance moves rapidly convert into strident and shuddering dance moves which include vibratory movements, jerks, ripples, and jolts in Falling Angels. This is the unique choreography style of Jiri Kylian. The powerful theme of this dance is enticing and catches the attention of the audience with its powerful and modern theme of feminism.
Production elements
The white and black costumes are used in the dance performances to reflect upon the two prominent gender roles of males and females. The black color of males signifies their dark and superior power. The white color represents the feminine power that is objectified and petite in nature. The dance moves convert from quick to slow abruptly which reflects the theme of masculinity. The props used by male dancers are reflecting their superior power. The lights and music are accentuating the overall theme of modernism.
Analysis of Choreography
The choreographer Jiri Kylian’s dynamic dance style and techniques are prevalent in all six dances of this concert. The dance movements incorporated in these dances are a combination of diverse, native, neo-classical, traditional, and modern moves. The high energy used in male dancers reflects masculinity. Kylian’s dance style is inspired by all these dance moves. He uses space and time in a dynamic and unique manner. In his dances, the dance moves are sharp, strident, and percussive at first. The most intimate dance is by the couple which reflects love and affection. Their dance movements are also smooth and elegant.
Evaluation
The male dancers in Sarabande reflect the themes of masculinity. Whereas the female dancers reflect the themes of feminine sexuality, pregnancy, and issues of objectification of body image in Falling Angels. All the dances are conveying the modern themes of sexuality, especially the relationship of masculine power over femininity in the contemporary world. Along with the motif of sexuality, Jiri Kylian’s contemporary dance style is reflected throughout the six dances in this dance concert.
Summary
In a nutshell, this dance concert reflects the modern dance moves inculcated in ballet dance performances which reflect Kylian’s contemporary dance style. Throughout the six dance performances, the elements of contemporary dance style are shown with ballet and modern techniques which are highly appealing to the audience.
References
EAG. (2020, April 21). Jiri kylian black and white modern dance ballet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3zOU48wIpw
