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Akram Khan - Coggle Diagram
Akram Khan
ZERO DEGREES (2005)
KEY THEMES
- Identity and belonging
- Duality (dual nationality)
- Polar opposites (life vs death, control vs helplessness, good vs evil)
- Borders (emotional and physical, such as life into death)
STARTING POINT
An exploration of the space between two points - Larbi recorded Khan's stories of a journey he experienced.
PHYSICAL SETTING
- Grey monochrome stage with vertical white lines (borders).
- Costumes are minimal; grey trousers and tunics (illuminates shadows and movement).
- 2 dummies either side of stage (attack and block) and projected shadows (shadows and sufis.).
COLLABORATION
Co-choreographer and dancer: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Musician and composer: Nitin Sawnhey
Sculptor of the dummies: Anthony Gormley
AURAL SETTING
Passports: speech between the dancers; naturalistic with hesitations.
S+S: harsh drum beat and floaty violin sound with cultural vocal accompaniment (identity, duality and heartbeat of life versus death)
A+B: speak in Bharatanaytan and drums and violin as movement begins.
DANCERS:
Khan and Cherkaoui are both dual nationality, reflected through both unison and contrasting movement.
SECTION 1: PASSPORTS
MOVEMENT EXAMPLE
Both Khan and Cherkaoui are sat downstage centre, cross-legged and side by side. Within their dialogue, the word 'passports' initiates the dancers to create a diamond hand gesture, which they hod in front of them, below their chests. The second time 'passports' is said they thrust the diamond hand gesture forward sharply.
ANALYSIS
Thrusting passport forward: signifies importance of identity to them; both dual nationality.
Precise hand gestures: reflective of Khan's Kathak training, strengthening sense of belonging to his Bangladeshi roots.
Fast paced dialogue: fear of losing identity when they no longer possess their passport.
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BACKGROUND + TRAINING
- Born in South London (1974) to Bangladeshi parents.
- Learnt Kathak (classical Indian dance style)
- Initial push to dance was from his mother.
- At age 10, toured internationally with Peter Brook's production Mahabhrata.
- Initially trained at De Montfort University (Leceister) in contemporary dance.
- Transferred to Northern School of Contemporary Dance and graduated with highest marks ever.
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ISLES OF WONDER (2012)
STARTING POINT + KEY THEMES
- Given theme 'Mortality' by director Danny Boyle for 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.
- Became a tribute to 'absent family and friends,' particularly victims of the '7/7' 2005 London Bombings.
- Fragility of mortality and hope.
PHYSICAL SETTING:
- Dust creates hazy atmosphere, reflecting quote 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust' > mortality.
- Orange light emblematic of sun.
- Ensemble dancers wear maroon leggings and tunics (south Asian influenced).
- Khan and boy wear cream shirt and trousers > light colours represent hope.
AURAL SETTING
- Emile Sande sings 'Abide With Me'
- Hymn of remembrance.
- Amplified pulse sound > stops at the end signifying mortality.
DANCERS
- 52 dancers; number of fatalities caused by 7/7 bombing.
- Khan represents mortality, boy represents hope and continuation of life, ensemble represents angels and heaven.
BEGINNING
MOVEMENT EXAMPLE
The ensemble of dancers are stood centre stage in a tightly packed diamond shape, in front of orange circular light representing the sun. They are bent forward at a low level the accompaniment has a slight murmuring. A sharp breath occurs initiating the dancers to stand up straight with a fast pace, they sharply through their arms in the air and release the dust, simultaneously looking upwards.
ANALYSIS
Pulse sound and sharp breath > continuation of life and hope.
Dust > mortality, 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust.'
ENDING
MOVEMENT EXAMPLE
Ensemble of dancers stood in a tightly packed group centre stage, facing forward with fixed eye contact on Khan and the boy, who are stood facing each other. Khan begins making fast paced gestural arm movements (energy ball), and the young boy tracks this with his head and eyes. Khan holds an 'energy ball' above his head and the boy responds by hugging him. He carries him into the ensemble group and they crouch on the floor as he is lifted, reaching upwards.
ANALYSIS
Ensemble: angels, symbolising heaven and mortality.
Khan: embodies person who has passed away, passing on his knowledge and energy.
Hug: rejecting passing of knowledge and wanting to savour last moments.
Reaching upward: reaching towards hope, reflected through orange light, sun.