"Park" (2005) Flashcards
When was “Park” created and performed?
2005
What is the subject matter for “Park” (2005)?
“Park” is an urban oasis that represents a microcosm of society, with 8 characters fighting over ownership, power, and belonging over the park, during the proposed regeneration of this park.
What is the structure of “Park” (2005)?
A collage of fractured narratives to explore the characters background, relationships, and behaviour.
Who are the 8 characters in “Park” (2005)?
Male bully, female bully, siren, developer, tourist, homeless man, bag lady, busker
How were the characters created for “Park” (2005) and what is the significance?
As the work was commissioned by DanceXChange in Birmingham, Vardimon and her 8 person cast spent the day in Cannon Hill Park, where they observed people all day. They were told to chose a character and create a story on why they should be in the park. This allowed organic creations for movement, allowing the dancers to fully embody their character.
This reveals Jasmin Vardimon’s acute observations of human behaviour which she learnt from her time as psychological assessor in her 2 years of military experience following her time on the kibbutz in Israel.
What are the significant props in “Park” (2005)?
The props are used to extend the characters:
Basket ball - Bully
Whistle - Female Bully
Spray Paint Can - Busker
Rope - Bully and Siren/Female Bully
Bags - Bag Lady
Why is the basketball significant in “Park” (2005) and when is it used?
The hard exterior of the basketball which is empty on the inside reflects how the bully is abusive and abrasive yet is uneducated and can still be controlled.
The bully uses the basketball to intimidate, control, and abuse other characters. He throws the ball at the homeless man’s face to intimidate him, bounces it around to control the female quartet who repeatedly bounce, and he pins it to the young girls breast and rolls it around revealing his sexual desires.
Why is the spray paint can significant in “Park” (2005) and when is it used?
The spray paint can has a hard exterior and is full of nothing, like the basketball, and sprays when it is pressed. This is reflected by the Buskers harsh exterior revealed when he imitates the lyrical solo of the homeless man, in addition to when the busker constantly says sorry to the bully when he is being attacked.
The Busker uses the spray paint throughout the whole work to write on the floor “Dear All, it’s meant to be, I’m already long time dead, sorry, sorry” This reveals his apologetic character, foreshadowing his own death using his power over the audience.
What is a significant quote from “Park” (2005) spoken by the Developer?
“I believe we should support the underprivileged” The bully is in a press up position on the milk crate held down by the developer. He throws the bully to the side, who rolls to the side.
Contradictory statements like those made in politics, reveals to the audience that politicians speak empty words
What is a significant quote from “Park” (2005) spoken by the Busker?
“Everything has a place in the world.” As the Busker moves the bench back to USL, with the bully sat on it. The Busker then repeatedly says “sorry”, revealing his timid character and exploring the theme of belonging - he belongs to the park
What is a significant quote from “Park” (2005) spoken by the Homeless man?
“Excuse me, can you spare some love please?” The homeless man asks the Bag Lady as she circles her bags around her head, crouching to the floor, to stand up and walk again. He’s asking for something personal, trying to belong to someone
What is a movement that demonstrates Vardimon’s influence from Pina Bausch’s juxtaposition in “Park” (2005)?
When the homeless man performs his lyrical solo with more softer dynamics in a range of arm gestures, waving them around his body. Simultaneously, the busker takes his t-shirt around his head, and imitates the homeless man, making bird noises every so often.
This shows Bausch’s influence through the juxtaposition of comedy and poignancy
What is a movement that demonstrates Vardimon’s influence from Pina Bausch’s brutality in “Park” (2005)?
The homeless man grabs hold of the female bully’s ankle and she enters the splits, he drags her around in a circle backwards
What is an example of unison which helps explore the themes of “Park” (2005)?
The 7 characters are dotted around the stage, where they perform spring points facing SL to “Across the Universe” by Fiona Apple, a melancholic, remorseful song. They do a circle of their arms and an unfolding motion with their hands before repeating. As they do this, the developer wraps on orange mesh around the characters as if trapping them in the park.
How is Vardimon’s athleticism reflected in the Bully’s movement of “Park” (2005)?
The Bully performs a range of athletic, hip-hop movements which showcase his abrasive character. Movements such as rotating flips, shadow boxing gestures, he jumps off a trampoline over the wall, monkey rolls over shoulders, and jumping press-ups. This is performed to rave music, in addition to a whistle - highlighting the rave culture which their characters enjoy, obnoxious and loud.
