ALVIN AILEY'S WORKS

?
What year was Blues Suite premiered?
1958
1 of 36
What are the themes demonstrated in Blues Suite?
Themes of lust, love, and sexual tease in black American socialisation
2 of 36
What did Ailey's choreography in Blues Suite reflect?
Reflected his disapproval of racism and his obligation to explore black culture
3 of 36
Who influenced Ailey's choreography in Blues Suite?
Dunham who represented her African American legacy in her choreography
4 of 36
What was Ailey inspired to do in Blues Suite?
To use concert dance as a tool of education that had deep roots in African American heritage through a time where modern dance was presented by white people
5 of 36
What technique is seen in Blues Suite?
Graham technique - back bends, high kicks and contractions of the torso
6 of 36
Describe movement within Blues Suite
Close proximity between a black female and a black male dancer during a slow sustained lift. There is soft stroking of the female's legs suddenly contrasting with direct and sudden contact.
7 of 36
How is Blues Suite described?
Blood memories of rural, Depression-era Southern Texas filtering the barely understood images of boyhood through the sensibilities of a man as Ailey imagined beloved but troubled characters as they gather for partying and blues in an old barrelhouse
8 of 36
How did Blues Suite contribute to the development of the AAADT?
It was recognised as the moment where he found his own miraculous voice as a creative artist representing real people on concert dance stage and defining his choreographic genius
9 of 36
What dance styles does Blues Style portray?
A dynamic mix of ballet, modern dance, jazz and African dance technique
10 of 36
When was Revelations first premiered?
1960
11 of 36
What themes are demonstrated in the first section of Revelations?
Oppresion and racial segregation
12 of 36
What was Ailey's intentions for Revelations?
To highlight the abuse and suffering black people suffered during the Great Depression, to represent African American legacy in his choreography and use it as a tool of education
13 of 36
How did Revelations contribute to the development of the AAADT?
Gave an artistic voice to African Americans in terms of concert dance and brought cultural diversity due to the exposure of culture variation
14 of 36
What effect did Revelations have on the audience?
Able to connect with choreographer's black vernacular culture dervied from his blood memories of being brought up in Texas where racial division was at a significant peak
15 of 36
Describe a motif within the first section of Revelations
The dancers are in a triangular formation. They perform a second position plie with their arms extending upwards & outwards and stroke their ribs as if they ached in slow & sustained dynamics & in unison
16 of 36
What technique is seen within Revelations?
Horton technqiue - demonstrates Native American folk dance, Japanese arm gestures and Afro-Caribbean elements
17 of 36
When was Masekela Language first premeired?
1969
18 of 36
What is Masekela Language defined as?
A self-defined protest work that challenged the idea of concert dance being a sense of expressivity during a heightened political debate invloving the struggle of races
19 of 36
What was Ailey's intention for Masekela Language?
To focus on the change for black people, asking the audience, assumingly white, how long they have to wait
20 of 36
What influenced Masekela Language?
Dunham's Southland in 1951
21 of 36
What themes does Maskela Language demonstrate?
Defiance, passivity, militancy and despair
22 of 36
What was the inspiration for Masekela Language?
The lfie of Hugh Masekela, a black trumpeter that was put in exile after fighting for his equality and speaking out against apartheid
23 of 36
Describe a motif in Masekela Language
A black male dancer runs in a linear pathway across the stage and is lifted by 3 male black dancers in fast, erratic and sharp dynamics
24 of 36
What does the motif represent in Masekela Language?
Supporting one another in a time of desolation
25 of 36
What year was Cry choreographed?
1971
26 of 36
Why did Ailey choreograph Cry?
For a birthday present to his mother
27 of 36
What influenced Cry?
Ailey's blood memories from the 1930s in a strictly segregated society and how black women have had an influence on Ailey
28 of 36
How is Cry described?
A journey of bitter sorrow, brutal hardship and ectastic joy. A symbol of simultaneous defiance & release and as a depiction of contemporary African American identity
29 of 36
What are the themes present in Cry?
Triumph, hardship of slavery, losing loved ones and depressions &a tribulations
30 of 36
Describe the movement content in section one
There are strong contractions of the spine and circling of arms in slow & sustained dynamics
31 of 36
Name movement content in section two
Strong high extended kicks enhanced by fierce facial expressions
32 of 36
How is the white piece of material used in Cry?
Demonstrates motherhood as it used as a form of baby carrier
33 of 36
Describe a motif in Cry?
The dancer runs in a diagonal pathway extending both above her then quickly contracting her torso and punching her right hand into her chest
34 of 36
What does this motif imply?
Demonstrates the struggle of being a black woman, questioning why she is being discriminated against and conveys her feelings of pain
35 of 36
Describe contextual information relating to this motif
1931 Texas - America was a divided nation and was politically governed by the domination of a 'band of whites'
36 of 36

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What are the themes demonstrated in Blues Suite?

Back

Themes of lust, love, and sexual tease in black American socialisation

Card 3

Front

What did Ailey's choreography in Blues Suite reflect?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Who influenced Ailey's choreography in Blues Suite?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What was Ailey inspired to do in Blues Suite?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Dance resources:

See all Dance resources »See all Ailey's works resources »