Richard Alston Flashcards

1
Q

When was RA named Artistic Director?

A

1986.

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2
Q

When did RA resign as Artistic Director?

A

1992

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3
Q

What were RA’s Key Contributions to Rambert?

A

A shift towards a more abstract emphasis became a feature of the company’s work during this period, the company was renamed Rambert Dance.
Alston removed Graham’s modern technique and focused purely on Cunningham as its primary training.

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4
Q

List Richard Alston’s Influences.

A

Architecture and Space.
Art and Sculpture.
Individuality.
Movement.
Music.

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5
Q

Explain how Architecture and Space has an Influence on Alston’s Works.

A

Alston said he finds architecture inspiring.

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6
Q

Explain how Art and Sculpture has an Influence on Alston’s Works.

A

Dancers in his pieces often perform the same material at the same time or in quick succession but with different facings or travelling on a different pathway.

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7
Q

Explain how Individuality has an Influence on Alston’s Works.

A

Alston selects company members from varying backgrounds, choosing them for their own movement quality and physical characteristics.

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8
Q

Explain how Movement has an Influence on Alston’s Works.

A

His choreography flows with a sense of fall and suspension not seen in pieces by Cunningham partly due to the dynamics that come from tying the movement closely to the music/the intimate relationship between the movement and the music.

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9
Q

Explain how Music has an Influence on Alston’s Works.

A

Alston is an intensely musical choreographer and they drive to create movement in response to music arguably underlies all his work.

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10
Q

Explain Richard Alston’s Choreographic Style and Features.

A

Music Visualisation.
Over-Complicates Movement.
Cunningham Technique.
Neutral Facial Expressions.
Fast and Rhythmic Footwear.
Space.
Rapid and Unexpected Change of Direction.
Canon/Repetition.
Use of Torso.
Expressiveness.
Openness of Gesture.

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11
Q

List Richard Alston’s Choreographic Devices.

A

Unison/Canon.
Climax.
Highlights.
Repetition.
Motif and Development.
Manipulation of Number.

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12
Q

Explain Richard Alston’s Early Training and Background.

A

Studied fine art and theatre design at a college called Croydon College of Art in 1965.
He then continued his studies at the London School of Contemporary Dance in 1968.

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