Merce Cunningham
Behind the Scences
brief information
Pictures
Question and Answers
Jordan WilliamsHow was the story, theme, or emotion expressed?
Merce Cunningham never believed in a dance that presented a specific theme or storyline, but rather the concept of a dance that portrayed "the idea of movement for movement's sake." In "Beach Birds" the dancers are characterized as birds in their own environment. They are creating their own unique movements with their free flowing bodies to mimic a bird's movement. As for what emotion Cunningham was trying to express, that is mostly left up to the imagination. Simply because this piece mainly focuses on the movement of the body. However, I think that the emotion Cunningham was trying to express was that of a free feeling, like beach birds must have. He wanted his audience to feel a sense of freedom and simplicity.
Kierra WilliamsHow did the production elements (lighting, costume, set) effect the overall interpretation of the dance?
Answer later.
MeredithHow did the music and the dance pair together?
Throughout the music, the dancers use a variety of space in the room both quick and slow movements with their arms and legs. The music and movements are linked together through a trickling water sound, as if the waves of the water are meeting up to the sand by the birds. The dancers are twitching and contorting their bodies with the sound of water on the background, in order to portray the birds.
SummerTell us one piece that this person is famous for choreographing, and explain how/why it stood out to you.
Merce Cunningham was famous for many of his pieces, but one that stood out to me was Beach BIrds. Beach BIrds is unique because it is all based on individual phrasing. The dancers in the piece don't all have to be exactly on time with each other, and that is because Cunningham truly wanted his dancers to embody beach birds. "They can dance like a flock of birds, as they suddenly take off," as Cunningham himself described the piece. This piece isn't exactly a traditionally "pretty" dance, which is the main reason it stood out to me. I like it because it stays true to it's purpose, embodying Beach Birds. The dancers even wear a white body suit with a black top, just like the birds.
Keshundra WilsonHow did the choreographer use the elements of dance (time, space, energy) for his/her piece?
In "Beach Birds," Cunningham uses stiff, flowing movements, but then the tempo gets faster in his piece in order to create the mood of the dancers being the "birds." Cunningham said "It is all based on individual physical phrasing. The dancers don't have to be exactly together. They can dance like a flock of birds when they suddenly take off." The changes of light in the background indicate dawn to dusk. In this piece, not only do they mainly stay in one position, but they use the entirety of the dance floor to create a certain feel. Also, there is a lot of force being applied because of the dynamics of this piece.
