Embrace Tiger And Return To Mountain (1968) By Glen Tetley Flashcards
What year was this work first performed?
1968
What is the subject matter of the work?
A plotless and abstract work, which does explore the different dynamics of human relationships, whilst incorporating movements from T’ai Chi, blending it with ballet.
What is the aural setting for the work?
- new and experimental music by Morton Subotnik, called Silver apples of the moon.
- can hear multiple different sound effects and different layers to the piece, and is very loud clanging and banging of instruments
What is the physical setting?
- set: back of stage are strips of silk where the dancers can enter and exit. Silver flooring= a futuristic effect
- Costumes: bright vibrant orange lycra unitards, with a tight belt= outline shape of the body and lycra is reflective and shiny
- what is a movement example from this work
Include the interpretation and how this shows Tetley’s choreographic style
Movement: female dancer is on a low level on the floor where she slides forwards into the box splits. 4 other male dancers slide into second plies, but changing the direction that they face, following behind the female dancer. The male dancers each grab hold of an arm or leg of the female dancer, and they lift her up above their heads, and she creates a star position in the air. She is lowered back down and then is thrown back up into the air assuming the same position as the dancers walk to the side, then is lowered back down and thrown back up again, this time moving in a circle.
Interpretation: Female dancer is being chased or hunted down by other males, then is manipulated through the lifts, having no control over their actions
Choreographers style: modernist approach to movement, as is unique and goes against classical form.
- what is a movement example from this work
Include the interpretation and how this shows Tetley’s choreographic style
Movement: Female dancer is lifted up backwards over one of the dancers shoulders before being thrown to the floor. She then does a tight roll to stand up and takes several little fast runs on the balls of the feet in a direct pathway from SR to SL, with her arms extended away from her body but hands hanging down. As she runs, the other dancers leap forwards onto the floor, extending their back legs, ending in a prone position. The leaping is in a canon with the next dancer leaping further then the previous one.
Interpretation: The female dancer appears to be running away from the males, who are trying to catch up to her. This could suggest maybe she was in an abusive relationship and is trying to escape.
Choreographer’s style: Modernist approach as movement is unique and abstract
- what is a movement example from this work
Include the interpretation and how this shows Tetley’s choreographic style
Movement: The 4 male dancers all line up on the floor, shoulder to shoulder in a supine position, with one leg bent up at the knee, and the other extended vertically with a flexed foot. The female dancer holds onto the male dancer’s feet and places her foot into their hands, and carefully walks across the row of dancers, circling her arm as she goes. One of the male dancers then gets up and suspends her to a high level, with the other dancers following behind.
Interpretation: Their has been a change of dynamic, with the female now controlling the males, as they help her walk across. The suspension to a high level could show they are worshipping her.
Choreographer’s style: Combination of Graham technique through flexed feet along with classical style thorugh straight and pointed feet in lift.
What does this work show about the development of Rambert at the time/ what can it proove?
It was created in the 60s during Rambert’s very experimental era as they re-establish themself as a small scale modern dance company. This work explores predatory, support, security of relationships, playful and innocent.
What is different about the start of this work compared to the rest of the dance? Give movement examples.
The dance is in complete silence and they perform movements insoired by ancient Chinese exercise T’ai Chi, which includes incredibily slow deep plies in second and lunges and they push the air away with their arms, then pull it back in.
