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Dance Performance Review: Chronicles Ballet by Martha Graham

28/3/19

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d1bIj3w9DE&t=84s

Duration: 50:05
Introduction

Chronicle is a contemporary dance performance choreographed by legendary dancer Martha

Graham. The work was premiered in the year 1936. The dance moves were choreographed by

Martha on the music given by Wallingford Riegger. The set was designed in a way to support

and compliment dance moves and steps. It consisted of platforms, curtains and staircases. The

theme of dance was "the advent and consequences of war". The dance performance was related

to the existing situation at that time which was the imminent warfare in European region. The

dance performance is 50 minutes in length divided into three main sections including dance

before tragedy, dance after the tragedy and prelude to action. Chronicles ballet raises voice

against the rise of fascism while conveying a message that every individual must stand for causes

and fight for their rights. The ballet performance is considered as one of the most beautiful and

elegant choreography by Graham which strongly evokes the individual alienation towards the

group center. The dance cinematography was divided into three different sections.

The ballet starts with a single dancer dressed in a long and heavyweight black skirt. Her

performance starts while she is sitting on platform which is round in shape. The long dress of the

dancer exhibits the psychological extension of her existence. It basically depicts the psychic

weight carried by her throughout her dance performance intended towards enticing fascination

and charm. During the course of her performance, the folding and unfolding of her skirt reveals

the red color underneath which is chosen carefully to show the certainty of approaching conflict.

It looks like she is shedding her blood. The body gesture of the dancer displayed her battle which

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is quite captivating and fearless. The performance was regarded as an all-female response to the

threat of fascism.

The second part of the dance consists of ten dancers stepping, jumping and twisting in

synchronization. The stage was all-dark including its floor. The music made the performance

look even more demonstrative. The heartfelt and passionate dance moves exhibited the

innermost instincts of the dancers. The performance was all about digging deep inside the ground

and then rooting their individual selves to stage making antediluvian figures and statuaries

formations. The performance showed the real dynamic side of a woman who is strong and

enthusiastic. She fights in a most human way without being indulging herself into an immoral

conduct. Although the transition of the dancers from one step the other was not as flexible and

agile in second part but the overall performance did justice to the theme of performance.

The last section of the performance was prelude to action. This was followed by the return of a

lone performer from the first section. This time she was in an all-white dress put in a center

making the entire group of artists orbit around her. At the end the dancer was into solo dance

again. The costume and music collectively created a definite mood for the emotional tone of the

art performance. The moves

The ballet performance displays the amount of emotions carried by an individual which must be

vent out. A person should not simply overlook their feelings and reactions. It is important for

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people to fight for their causes. Martha Graham was the leading performer of the previous

century who knew the meaning of dance moves. Chronicle Ballet is pioneer in performance art

that has a massive influence on human mind and heart.

The other section of the performance also demonstrates extension of oppositional pull from the

first section. It looks like the bodies of the performers are struggling against hard-hitting wind,

moving up and down with music twisting, bending and persistent with the universe. It actually

portrays the devastation of soul as an aftermath of destruction and war. It is thrilling to watch as

to how worse warfare can affect the spirit of oneself. This performance is a metaphoric work

which provides a sense of cohesion to the whole work by connecting one performance to the

other in sequence, by relating it to the real life situation and providing a perspective to the

audience.

Martha’s work is a combination of archaic and contemporary arts. It gives you the feeling of old

styles while still connecting to modern ways of exhibiting art. You question its existing in one

stance and compare its relevance to modern world in the other.

Conclusion

The inaugural dance was a solo performance which was predominantly a preface to the act that

followed afterwards. The performer had firm and swift moves. She responded to the music

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through her robotic gestures. In the beginning of the dance, the performer settled upright and in

profile. The long skirt was wrapped all over the platform. It provided an impression that the body

is inseparable from the ground but once the artist detangle her from the ground she is all on her

feet skillfully taking all the weight in her hands with a flash of red base inside the dress

indicating towards approaching danger.

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