Posts Tagged ‘dance film’

Contemporary dance lovers and dance film aficionados have been set afire by the latest music video by pop sensation Beyoncé Knowles. “Countdown” is a breezy number about all the ways to “keep your man,” however beyond the driving beat and batting eyelashes the video displays many blatant quotes from works by choreographer Anne Theresa de Keersmaeker, including her seminal dance film “Rosas danst Rosas” and “Achterland.”

To see the quotes clearly, some fans of de Keersmaeker put together this video showing Beyoncé’s video and the original material by de Keersmaeker side by side. Incredibly, it is the second video that comes up when you search for “Countdown beyoncé” in YouTube!

In a statement for the social network, Dance-tech.net, de Keersmaeker responded to the hubbub by saying that she is neither flattered nor upset by the heavy borrowing from Beyoncé, rather she is sad that it has taken so long for the world to recognize her dance experimentations from 30 years ago.

Personally, I think it is great that Beyoncé and her creative team have brought these dance works into mainstream consciousness. I’m also happy that the arts community has responded with a flurry of comments on YouTube because it is leading Beyoncé’s fans to see de Keersmaeker’s work for themselves.

This is not the first time Beyoncé has quoted great choreography. Her viral video hit “Single Ladies” was clearly inspired by Bob Fosse’s choreography for “Mexican Breakfast” (Beyoncé found as a video mash-up with the rap song “Walk it Out” and has since been removed from YouTube). What was wonderful about “Single Ladies” was all the subsequent copying that happened around the world with millions of fans reconstructing the choreography and posting it online. From fat men to 3 year old kids, everyone and their brother learned that piece of choreography to perfection. Can one wish for anything more as a choreographer? It was a stroke of marketing genius for Beyoncé to give that choreography away for millions to copy and share. I can only hope that “Countdown” does the same.

What do you think? Are you outraged or overjoyed? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Update 10-26-11: Here’s a news clip from Reuters announcing de Keersmaeker’s pending law suit against Beyoncé. Doesn’t look like she’s taking the imitation as flattery!

Now in its 10th year, Philadelphia Dance Projects’ MOTION PICTURES has become a mini-festival unique to Philadelphia that explores how film and video serve as natural collaborative mediums for dance. MOTION PICTURES’11 will feature 4 different programs that highlight the power of image in motion including shorts, features and an “informance” artist/audience conversation with Filmmaker, Nadine Patterson.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 – 6:30pm, 8:00pm
Thursday, October 6, 2011 – 6:30pm, 8:00pm

Location:
Performance Garage
1515 Brandywine Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19130
United States

Admission is $10-$15

For More information visit Philadelphia Dance Projects

Maya Deren: 50 Years On

Fifty years after the death of filmmaker and choreographer Maya Deren, the art and influence of one of experimental cinema’s most inspiring and charismatic figures is celebrated and explored. The British Film Institute will present a dedicated program of Maya Deren screenings and events on October 4-12 2011, BFI Southbank, London.

For more information visit Maya Dean: 50 Years On

SUBMISSIONS 2012

Our submissions call is now open for the third-annual festival, tentatively scheduled for March 15-18th, 2012.

We are looking for dance films made specifically for the camera, often referred to as “screendance.” These are stand-alone pieces independent from the stage that can range from traditional narratives to experimental collages, and may include the use of animation or other technologies. This year, we are also adding a dance documentary category to our programming, and encourage entries with a creative approach to capturing the choreographic process.

Submission Deadlines and Fees:

Early Deadline: October 1st, 2011 Fee:$25

Final Deadline: November 15th, 2011 Fee:$35

Go to our website for details on how to submit.

Today’s video is from SALTS, a collaborative platform for Icelandic artist Ingi Jensson and German choreographer Heike Salze. strönd/strand is one of several site-specific dance films that were presented earlier this month as the installation project bekkur/bænk. I love this dance for its play with textures and detail–the grass and Saga Sigurðardóttir’s hair seem to do as much dancing as the dancers themselves.

Follow the rest of the project on http://www.salts.nl/