Choreographer and Company
Lucy Bennett choreographed Artificial Things for Stopgap Dance Company, focusing on inclusive contemporary dance. The choreographic approach involved collaboration with the dancers, with Laura serving as the primary source of movement, which was then adapted by David and Amy, with Tash contributing to the setting.
Highlight: The collaborative nature of the choreography emphasizes the inclusive approach of Stopgap Dance Company.
Stimulus and Choreographic Intention
The piece was inspired by various stimuli, including an image of an isolated figure on a collapsed wheelchair in a snow-covered landscape, viewed as if through a snow globe. Paintings by Goran Djurovic and the dancers' personal experiences also influenced the work.
Definition: Stimulus in dance refers to the inspiration or starting point for creating a piece.
The choreographic intention explores life's limitations and resolution, the gaze of others, and the feeling of being constricted within a metaphorical snow globe.
Vocabulary: Choreographic intention refers to the main idea or message that the choreographer aims to convey through the dance.
Aural Setting and Costume
The aural setting includes ambient sounds like wind and crunching noises, as well as piano music with notes played and strings strummed to create a whooshing sound. This soundscape contributes to the overall atmosphere of the piece.
Example: The use of strummed piano strings to create a whooshing sound adds to the cold, wintery atmosphere suggested by the visual elements.
Costumes vary for each dancer, allowing for individual expression within the ensemble.
Lighting and Set Design
The lighting design features two white spotlights positioned downstage right and center stage. A blue wash is used for the trio section, while a deep blue central spotlight illuminates the pares solo. Amber sidelights are employed for group sections.
The set design for Artificial Things is crucial in creating the desired atmosphere. It consists of a painted backdrop with heavy vertical lines where paint runs down, emphasizing the cold and desolate mood. A headless mannequin is perched on the set, and paper snow covers the floor, further enhancing the wintry, isolated feel.
Highlight: The set design plays a significant role in creating the atmosphere of confinement and isolation central to the piece's themes.
