brolga - phrases Flashcards
what is the intention of Brolga
The intention of Stephen Page’s, Brolga, is to represent the story of the Brolga Dreaming and to incorporate the traditions, culture, and movements of Aboriginal Australian people. The use of movement from the brolga bird is also used predominantly to represent the story of Brolga.
how is accent shown in brolga - time
Accent is shown when she reaches out her left leg and bends it back into her right leg, then rebounds it out quickly and then repeats it. This use of accent on the rebound of her leg represents her exploration of the land she is on as she continues through the new plain. Accent is also shown when the other 5 dancers arrive and are encompassing the soloist girl, as they jerk their heads from side to side. This accent on the head movement represents how they are almost inspecting her and what she is as she enters their environment.
how is speed shown in brolga - time
Fast speed is shown in this phrase when the dancers shake their upper bodies with their hands out. This fast movement represents the movement of the brolga bird and how they are possibly shaking something off of them. This also works with the fast didgeridoo part in the music at the same time. Slow speed is shown at the very end of the dance when all dancers are on stage and they are all moving at different times doing different movements at a slow pace. The idea of calmness and being contempt is brought across as the slow movement allows for a moment of peace.
how are pauses shown in brolga - time
Pauses are represented in this phrase by the person in the middle of the circle. She pauses when the other dancers roll around her and she looks at them. This could show how she is learning from them and taking in how they move. Pauses are also highlighted at the end of the dance when the soloist dancer looks around at the other brolgas. This pause could show her curiosity with the group and how she is wondering what they are going to do.
how is shape shown in brolga - space
Angular shape is represented in the middle of the dance when the 5 dancers are ina. circle around the soloist and the dancer in the middle goes to sit on the ground in a wide-legged position with her hands behind her back. The angular body shape creates the picture of the brolga bird. This is used to show how she is manipulating into one of these birds as she progresses with the group. Curved shape is shown when the 5 dancers first come on stage and they all walk curving their bodies over and lift back up. This movement shows the exploration of the brolga bird as this curved body shape towards the ground shows their movements and how they move through space.
how are transition of shapes shown in brolga - space
Transition of shapes is shown in the middle of the dance with the 5 dancers rolling around the soloist then to a standing movement. The dancers start in an angular position of the floor, pecking at the ground then, they transition to being standing with their arms above their heads in a linear shape. This change could show their daily life as they hunt for food and travel through the environment. Transition if shapes is also used at the end of the dance when the male dancers come on doing a large jump in a linear shape and then change to a forward curve with their upper body. This shows how they are the ones who are looking over everyone and how they are considered to be more leader-like as they do larger jumps continuously and scout the ground.
how is level shown in brolga - space
Level is highlighted at the end of the dance when all of the dancers are on, varying in movements, shape and level. Low level is represented by the people at the front on their knees. This could show how these people are lower in the tribe as these people are hunting, interacting with each other and are lower than the person at the back. High level is shown by the person at the back of the stage. This could represent how she is an elder or guardian of the tribe as they are looking over everyone and is wearing traditional clothing that represent a higher authority.
how is force shown in brolga - energy
Strong force is used when the dancer does the 360 turn out of her forward bend. This jump represents how she is quickly moving from the trapped and enclosed bend. It can also represent her desire to feel welcome in this environment and how she explores this space as the strong movement shows her eagerness. Light force is used when the dancer in the middle circles her leg around to the back and then does the same on the other leg. This use of light force through her leg shows the connection that she has for the land and how they treat it with respect.
how is flow shown in brolga - energy
Bound flow is used when the dancers on the outside dance around the person in the middle, moving their heads from side to side, stomp their feet and quickly jump out of positions. This creates the feeling of uncertainty as the jagged head movements creates the idea of looking questionably and the quick jumps away from the girl shows the possible hesitation they have with her. Free or fluent flow is shown at the start of the dance when the dancer takes 3 develope steps forward. This highlights her exploration of space in the new environment and how free movement allows her to travel further and seamlessly.
how is tension shown in brolga - energy
Light tension is shown in the middle of the dance as the dancers bodies are quite free to move doing circular motions, ripples through their spine and arches with their torso backwards. This allows the idea of brolga movements and how the light tension can also show that the bird’s aren’t aggressive in their nature. Heavy tension is shown again in the middle of the dance when the 5 dancers circle around the soloist for the first time and the dancer in the middle is in a parallel retire with her body slightly forward. This tension could show that she is nervous or scared of the other dancers and is trying to get used to them.
how is unison shown in brolga - GS
Unison is represented when the 5 dancers do continuous stamps and hops around the person in the middle. This could show how they are all a bit unaware of this new person and show that they are all curious about them. Unison is also shown a bit after that in the middle of the dance when all of the dancers on stage are dancing together after the circle part. This could highlight how they have accepted the new person and that they are all one tribe. It also shows how the person in the middle is now picking up on what they do as a brolga and how they work with one another.
how is contrast shown in brolga - GS
Contrast in movements are shown in the middle of the dance when the person in the middle is kneeling on a low level and the other brolgas are lunging on a medium level doing separate movements from each other. This shows how they are still different at this part of the dance and how the other group is still trying to accept the other person. Contrast in level is used at the very end of the piece when all dancers are on stage and some are lunging, some are kneeling and one person at the back is standing taller. This represents how the person above everyone could be an elder to the tribe and how the others are almost inferior to them.
how is asymmetry shown in brolga - GS
Asymmetry in space is shown when the dancers do the walks towards op with their arms above their heads. This placement of the dancers being off centre shows how they are exploring the space and moving into a new part of the environment. This then allows for the dance to continue into the next phrase. Asymmetry in a group is shown when the five dancers first come on and they are on op side and the other soloist dancer is on the prompt side. This shows the divide between the group and the soloist at the time. The asymmetry shows how the soloist could be fearful or nervous about the group entering.
