Research
I started my research by critically analysing my strengths and weaknesses to help creatively develop my choreography to evoke a clear message to the audience. I know in contemporary dance that my usual style is staccato, in which I am confident at performing impulsive, intricate movements. I know that my weakness is when movement becomes slower, as I don't use the full expansiveness of my limbs. By investigating more about my stimulus by watching clips of speeches and poems, I observed the actions of being vulnerable and became exposed to the suffering abuse victims face. My movements will be relevant, concise and heartfelt with a strong visual impact that is creatively presented.
There are many key objectives that I want to answer in my choreography such as:
What has made my partner become so possessive?Why do I feel the need to show a different personality when I'm not with him?
Why don't I have the courage to tell anyone about it?
(Tedder, 2015)
With these questions in mind, I have been doing a vast amount of research to get a true understanding of what it may feel like to be in an abusive relationship. I came across an influential video on YouTube by Leslie Morgan Steiner, who talks about the misconceptions people hold about domestic violence relationships and how the victims rationalize the abuse and come to the conclusion that being abused is "normal", (TEDtalks, Why domestic violence victims don't leave, 2013.). I am going to scrutinize this speech by exploring movement patterns with the softer tones in her voice when she recounts her story and how she uses stillness, calmness and silence to retell the trauma that she underwent. This will contrast with the use of violent, dominant, and vicious movements that will be seen through the use of grounded and dynamic movements. In one section of her speech, she mentions that "abuse thrives in silence", (TEDtalks, Why domestic violence victims don't leave, 2013.). Incorporating a sense of tranquillity and sereness in my choreography will be salient, as not only does it observe the idea that you cannot take action to the abuser's behaviour when you feel deflated mentally and physically, but also that abuse isn't always physical. The stillness can be deceived as an unproblematic relationship, with no complications which can lead others into believing that too.
As I was researching more into abusive relationships, I came across a poem by Brian E Pardee called 'They Don't Know,' (Pardee, 2020). This poem conveys secrets about how manipulating abuse is which eventually becomes dehumanizing. The layout of this poem strikes interests me, as when you read it, the pace begins to fasten and the words, 'They don't know', become more prominent and are said with compassion and sympathy. In addition to this, the poem comes across as if the author is finally not afraid to uncover her hidden confessions. I will portray this by using repetition and argumentation, as I want to experiment with the size and expansiveness of the words, along with the growing power of the rhythm. In chapter 5, (p107) of Kate Flatt's book, "Choreography: Creating and Developing Dance for Performance", she mentions that 'music and dance share material moving together through time; moulding each other whilst expanding our perception,' (Flatt, 2019). Even though I do agree with this statement, I want to show that not only does music help us to create movement, written elements can also aid us to develop our creative voice in dance. I don't have any music at the moment, but I am still exploring and immersing myself in movement qualities. To attract the audience's attention, you need to be self-possessed off and on stage and take satisfaction in cultivating remarkable pieces of movement.
References
Concepcion, R., 2004. The role exercise may play in how survivors of domestic violence feel and view themselves. [Accessed 13 October 2021]
Phelps, L., 2019. 7 Signs of an Abusive Relationship. [online] WebMD. Available at: <https://blogs.webmd.com/relationships/20190612/7-signs-of-an-abusive-relationship#:~:text=%207%20Signs%20of%20an%20Abusive%20Relationship%20,instilling%20fear.%20They%20might%20be%20verbally...%20More%20> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Flatt, K., 2019. Kate Flatt Choreography creating and developing dance for performance. [online] Dropbox. Available at: <https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jvhszg9uizopfxk/AADJpuzvtvrwNn9B5c1PVBlXa/Level%206/Advanced%20Independent%20Choreography%20(MU60362O)/Kate%20Flatt%20Choreography%20creating%20and%20developing%20dance%20for%20performance?dl=0&preview=Kate+Flatt+Chapter+5.pdf&subfolder_nav_tracking=1> [Accessed 17 October 2021].
Pardee, B., 2020. A Girl Who Was Abused For Most Of Her Life, They Don't Know, Abuse Poem. [online] Family Friend Poems. Available at: <https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/they-dont-know-6> [Accessed 17 October 2021].
Phelps, L., 2019. 7 Signs of an Abusive Relationship. [online] WebMD. Available at: <https://blogs.webmd.com/relationships/20190612/7-signs-of-an-abusive-relationship#:~:text=%207%20Signs%20of%20an%20Abusive%20Relationship%20,instilling%20fear.%20They%20might%20be%20verbally...%20More%20> [Accessed 13 October 2021].
Why domestic violence victims don't leave | Leslie Morgan Steiner. 2013. [video] TEDtalks.https://youtu.be/V1yW5IsnSjo
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