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Introduction

Dance essay on all three works This essay looks to discuss the works of Alvin Ailey and Christopher Bruce. Revelations 1960, Cry 1971 and Swansong are the three works to be conversed. Revelations 1960 creates a picture of African American history; it communicates to us as an audience, portraying a political view on African American slavery. Ailey manages to show us the life's of these slaves through the use of racial related, themed songs and gestural movement; 'Take me to the water' is a section in the dance by which we are able to acknowledge the daily routines of these slaves and the extent of the poor living conditions they were subjects of, 'Wade in the water', for example show's ...read more.

Middle

Moreover, 'Revelations' creates a narrative of African American release from slavery; it contains waterside baptism and is to some extent very communal. Alvin Ailey specifically used folk material to appeal to several audiences. This work allows us to see clear images of class, gender and sexuality. Another huge issue this dance concerned itself with was cultural representation; in particular, a representation of black subjectivity without any query towards issues dealing with gender, class or sexuality. Revelations was a dance that unquestionably challenged its dancers; the dance material was filled with abstract techniques and cultural memory in order to create a persona for black individuals. ...read more.

Conclusion

and physical space, dominated by the dancer's constantly shifting embodiment of roles at functions; throughout this piece, we witness this dancer as a labourer, mother, priest less, slave and lover. Christopher Bruce's Swansong explores several themes such as, humiliation, victimisation and undermining emotions; it is based on the interrogation of a prisoner by two guards'. In this piece of work Bruce decided to use unidentifiable clothing which suggests that the characteristics and personas of the dancers are big enough to indentify; this piece also consists of minimal set which allows us to focus more on the actual dances which it too, very minimal. Lastly, the piece consists of minimal lightly to indicate that there is one spotlight which is a window. ...read more.

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