"Medusa" (2018)

Question 1

When was “Medusa” created a performed?

Answer 1

2018

Question 2

What is the subject matter for “Medusa” (2018)?

Answer 2

A work exploring the impact of corrupt politics, climate change, pollution, female commodification, and male supremacy through a non-linear retelling of the myth of Medusa.

Question 3

What is the structure of “Medusa” (2018)?

Answer 3

Episode, with a collage of themes and music

Question 4

Give a movement example from “Medusa” (2018) that highlights the theme of pollution and global warming and shows the aural setting.

Answer 4

In the opening of the work, the floor is covered in plastic with the dancers hidden underneath. The dancer wears a plastic dress, standing on an undulating platform waving her arms peripherally and up vertically infant of her body. The platform rises as the serene music swells - juxtaposing the effects of climate change.

Question 5

Describe the quote spoken by the man in the grey suit in “Medusa” (2018) and its significance.

Answer 5

The man in the grey suit says “she doesn’t have the necessary tools to break that little glass ceiling above her” in a patronising tone, as he places his hands down as if on a glass surface, polishes it after breathing on it, with a circular hand gesture. He then waves his hand wiggling his fingers to his shadow - the woman in the black suit lay infant of him, mirroring his every move.

Question 6

Give a movement example from “Medusa” (2018) that shows Vardimon’s influence from Bausch’s harsh and raw emotions that explores the theme of female entrapment and the myth of medusa.

Answer 6

The Female in a short cream dress is US, the ensemble around her wiggle their fingers infront of her face and then she pushes her head through gasping for air. They move their hands to around her head. With a dim focused, lighting.

Question 7

Give a movement example from “Medusa” (2018) that shows Bausch’s influence on Vardimon through the juxtaposition of comedy/brutality, exploring themes of global warming.

Answer 7

A male in a grey suit enters with a bin on his head, the music changes to brass instruments like circus music. He walks laterally travelling the stage as he spews litter from the bin, he says quotes from Donald Trump, like “It’s a hoax” as the female dancer does an explosive wide knee tuck jump sneezing. The female also does a jump into the splits.
Shows the affects of climate change and pollution on people’s health, increasing allergies - whilst politicians call it a hoax.