Highlights from THF404 Landmarks of Choreographic Development Share Day
THF 404, Landmarks of Choreographic Development, studies a selection of dance innovators, choreographic works, and collaborations that have significantly influenced the development of choreography, styles and trends in dance. Emphasis will be placed on the twentieth century when dance experienced an explosion of new talent and directions. Students will investigate the emerging innovative concepts of technique, form, style and content.
Both Performance Dance and Performance Production + Design students took this course, taught by Amy Bowring, and used historical research to inspire new creative work as they studied dance genres from anywhere in the world and any time period in history.
In addition to annotated bibliographies and image research, the inquiry projects included a creative element. There were many inspiring projects -- here are a few highlights
Sophia Donais researched Lindy Hop and its importance at the Savoy Ballroom during the Harlem Renaissance. She used her research to make a vintage dress that she also recorded herself dancing in.
Bennet Richardson researched Martha Graham's choreography particularly in relation to sexuality. He then created his own Graham-based choreography inspired by his research.
Chris Gwynne-Thompson researched movement used in the Anime-inspired series Avatar: The Last Airbender and the history of the martial art forms from which the movement is derived. He then created a video performing movements connected to the elements fire, water, air, and earth.
Brendan Wong researched movement in New Wave music videos. He then reconstructed Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime" and directed fellow classmates Yllana Williams and Julianna Angheloni. No lip syncing for this crowd -- they showed up with sound equipment and sang and danced live for the class with Brendan totally channeling David Byrne.
Carina Fung researched the construction of the lion heads used in the Chinese Lion Dance specifically looking at the debate between traditional vs. synthetic materials. She created a small-scale lion head frame using rattan.
Paulina Tapia took a feminist and cannibalist approach to her designs for a fictitious ballet called Eat His Heart Out inspired by research on Romantic ballet and the ethereal jilted bride wilis of Jules Perrot's Giselle.
Makela Dew was inspired by Métis jigger Yvonne Chartrand and her company V'ni Dansi's Louis Riel Day celebrations. Makela created a compelling case for celebrating Louis Riel Day at TMU and put together an event pitch including potential local partnerships.
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Emily Hardaker researched Twyla Tharp, specifically Tharp's response to engendered movement. Emily made a rotoscope for Tharp's Eight Jelly Role creating over 200 images.
Johnny Espin focused on dance in music videos by Michael Jackson, whose work we studied in class particularly in its relationship to Bob Fosse. Johnny directed and starred in an homage video inspired by Michael Jackson and John Landis's iconic Thriller video.
