Squeeze Me, Life In Process (2022)
Choreographer: Sharon Fridman
In contemporary dance, choreographers can incorporate to their creations any kind of element they feel is necessary to deliver their message. That's one of the many reasons that makes contemporary dance so rich and the ever-changing art form of today.
There are, however, some recurring elements in contemporary dance, almost standards, that can theoretically give to the creation that contemporary feel to it. But the use of such standards per se doesn't just do the magic and make the work worthwhile and powerful. Whatever powerful can mean in any given creation.
Many of these standards appear in the fragment of the piece shown in this post: contact improvisation, rehearsal setup defined by the casual conversations and costumes, use of the voice, background roar as a kind of soundtrack instead of proper music. Amongst others.
One could assume that this piece works and comes across precisely because of the use of the mentioned standards. On the contrary, they wouldn't be enough at all without the craft and the heart behind of the whole construction. They are not just used as tricks to make the work seem contemporary, but they are implemented with profound knowledge and mastery. And with lots of honesty.
This is contemporary dance at its best. Or at least one of the best things contemporary dance can be.
The full length of this piece is approximately an hour.
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