Points in Space [VHS]

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VHS Movie Reviews of Points in Space [VHS]

Movie Review: deeply absorbing, what can be dance?
Summary: 5 Stars

"Points in Space" is actually not as experimental as other dances I've seen as the earth shattering "Winterbranch",or "Rainforest" in the Cunningham repertoire. I found this VHS deeply lyrical,suggesting something very old, primitive, yet civilized, beautiful in the traditional sense, with fine elegant imparted lines,shaped, coordinated moments, phrases,solos, duets, and trios, then the entire company enters with punctuations.There is also elegant counterpoint of moments with a foreground interests and a more accompanimental background quartet of dancers. There are then personalities"spirits" "energies" that do emerge from the company.You can almost call them poetic. But quietly, not wanting to interrupt the seamless affect/effect of the dance of others. Merce then appears toward the end of the dance, deeply limited from age, yet deeply inspirational in that he moves, He has developed more an interesting use of hand an arm swishes into the air, shaping the space of the air around his body. Sharp, fast quick motions with the arms.

The fact that the dance was videotaped I though was the least interesting aspect of it.

Cage's music/timbral accompaniment entitled "Voiceless Essay" is simply his voice that was permuted through the computer of consonants(he consciously took out the vowels) from the texts of Thoreau,after he selected items from his writings through Mesostics, that's a spine like word, running down the page vertically to help "guide" the words. We hear whispers, hisses, sighs, wind timbres, ellipses, glides. It is beautiful it gives the dance a sense of rest, of repose, actually, deeply moving

Movie Review: Stars of the Avant Garde
Summary: 4 Stars

Both emerged from the avant garde that vigorously swept America in the 1950s, (yielding such other notorieties as Kenton/Rob Graettinger of "City of Glass" fame). Both worked tirelessly to move forward from the stagnant position their art wallowed in. Both made demands of musicians and dancers hitherto unknown - and one might particularly highlight the inordinate difficulties posed by Cunningham whose choreography took in indeterminism and improvisation.
This video is an intriguing view of the way Cunningham worked - appropriate because he was quick to seize on video as a viable medium to present dance. (Much later he was to collaborate with IBM on computer choreography software). I believe the programme was originally made for the BBC.
This video is definitely not for the person unable to embrace the avant garde and ensuing artistic upheaval! For those who can appreciate its cultural importance, its message (which is always greater than the sum of the parts) this is a must. Cunningham and Cage will long exert their influence on Art in ways that are now probably taken for granted. This film is a well-documented moment in that process.

Movie Review: the emperor's are naked
Summary: 1 Stars

The music and choreography, per Cage in the interviews included, were written with no knowledge of the other. This is not hard to believe.

I bought the tape to use in a Survey of the Humanities course. I will probably use it, or part of it, but as an example of bad modern art. These old men in this film are fraudulent. Pitiful.

There are two positives. One, it shows the difficulties of filming dance. Movement seen on a stage vs on a screen are point-of-view difficult. Two, the film accurately reflects parts of the contemporary art world: Devoid of meaning and happy to thrash around in excrement.

Movie Review: Learning Experience
Summary: 4 Stars

Movie Review: For Dance Lovers
Summary: 4 Stars

Ballet & Dance Video

• Genres > Musicals & Performing Arts
• Classical