Section 2- Shaft of Light Flashcards
What is this section most useful for?
- use of physical setting
- collaborative process
- theme of zero
- idea os crossing borders
- theme of identity
- evidence of choreographic styles
Describe the physical setting at the start of this section and the dancers opening position.
The dancers stand either side of centre stage facing eachother in a horizontal shaft of light. They put put their heads together forming a zero shape.
How could the use of light be interpreted in relation to the themes and starting points?
The light could be a physical representation on the train journey that Khan and his cousin was on. It could also represent the idea of zero and the sliding scale of two extremes. It could physically represent the border between the two countries or could be a metaphor for the narrow margin of behaviours that are deemed acceptable in this new culture.
Explain the movement this picture represents and its interpretation. How is it developed?
The dancers have their downstage arm forwards, elbows touching, hand pointing upwards. The dancers touch their own shoulder, performa sequence of fluid movements and then touch the other persons shoulder and wrap their upstage arm around their own ribcage.
The above is repeated in a different order with added embelishments including the flick of a wrist or the drumming of the fingers.
This shows the exchange of ideas from one practicioner to another and how you can learn more about yourself through to someone else. A reciprocal exchange.
Explain the movement this picture represents and its interpretation. How is it developed?
Larbi holds Khan’s arm with his downstage hand and khan performs a turn under Larbi’s arm. This shows how by supporting eachother they are able to explore and play with new ideas.
The idea of turning is later repeated. Both dancers hold uachothers arms and they turn underneath. Khan then swings larbi backwards and stands looking at his hands in confusion. This could represent the way that Khan is trying to make sense of the situation by replaying it over in his head. This could also show how he’s now let Larbi in to the story for the first time and retelling the story has brought backhis guilt, the ‘blood’ on his hands.
Explain the movement shown in the picture and explain its significance along with how its developed.
Khan and larbi face eachother with their forearms lifted and touching. They then suspend and run backwards very quickly to opposite ends of the light and in to the dark. This is developed by the two dancers repeating the movement but swapping sides as they run. This could show how different Khan and Larbi are in terms of training and experience. The development is representitive of how larbi had to put himself in Khan’s shoes to fully understand the story.
Describe the movement shown in the picture and its significance.
Khan and Larbi link their arms by Larbi diving in to Khan’s personal space and then cover their own eyes. This could shows how they trust eachother and help eachother through an emotional time of reliving Khan’s ordeal. Could also be interpreted as exporing who the choreographer is etc.
What evidence is there for each of the choreographers individual style in this section?
Khan- It is an autobiographical story that is being told which is part of Khan’s kathak training. A further part of Khan’s kathak training that can be seen is his use of sufi turns on the heel of the foot and his use of kathak first near the end of the section
Larbi- Larbi stands directly behind khan holding his hands. They spring from one foot to another rippling their arms which looks very animalistic. Larbi also performs a forward walkover and uses his system of gestural communication
What effect does the aural setting have in this section in relation to the movement and dance idea?
The piece starts in silence and gradually the texture of the music builds. As the movement gets more complex and increases in speed, texture and dynamic, the sense of conflict rises also. The complexity of movement and music increases together, enhancing mood and atmosphere.
Describe and interpret the transition into the third section.
The dancers are stood in the light facing eachother side on to the audience. Larbi has his arms held firmly in first position. Khan’s arms are hooked through Larbi’s and Larbi rocks backwards and leans his head back. This shows how the dancers are comfortable with eachother and their own styles. The way that theyre linked could also represent their two nationalities coming together and the resistance away could show how the cultures sometimes work against eachother. Khan says he ‘feels Bangladeshi in England and English in Bangladesh’
