Week 9- Critical Review of dance piece #2

Today I reviewed Justin Peck's choreography piece 'In creases'

Firstly, this piece differentiates from the previous routine I critiqued as this is a group piece, whereas the ‘year of the rabbit’ is a duet. Therefore, Justin Pecks choreographic technique of focusing on the arrangements and patterns of the dancers is largely shown is this piece in comparison to the year of the rabbit. The use of this technique is definitely the main focus of this particular dance, as it’s what makes the routine interesting and enjoyable to watch. This creates the idea that the dancers are uniting, as although they are all dancing individually, they work together to create the interesting formations and shapes, and even if just one dancer was missing the choreography and dance would be incomplete. I really like this technique as it makes the entire routine extremely exciting.  Furthermore, the choreographic device of canon is used in this routine to create effect, which wasn’t use in his previous piece ‘Year of the Rabbit’ as there were only two dancers. The music used in this piece includes some definite sharp beats which makes the use of the cannon very effective. Additionally, the technique of freeze frame is widely used in this piece of choreography, where all the dancers on the stage stand still whilst one performs a solo piece, which makes some dancers stand out more than others. I like they way that more than one thing is going on, on the stage at one time as it makes it so exciting. Additionally, it keeps the audience’s attention at all times.

 ‘In creases’ is very fast pace and exciting to watch, where as ‘year of rabbit’ is much calmer and only one thing is going on at once. The dynamics in ‘year of the rabbit’ are much softer in comparison to this choreography piece, however the movement style is fairly similar, as in both pieces the style of contemporary ballet is used. In the choreography piece ‘In Creases’ I recognise many of the dance movements as they are very balletic. For example: arabesque, jetes, glissades, developes, assembles are all demonstrated in ‘in creases’ and some of these are also shown in ‘year of the rabbit’  

Similarly, to the ‘year of the rabbit’ pas de deux is featured in this choreography. Another similarity I noticed in this dance and the ‘year of rabbit’ is that some of the dancers movements have an influence on other dancers’ movements, although this is shown in a rather discreet way it further shows the idea that the dancers work together and move as one. In both choreography pieces the ‘year of the rabbit’ and ‘in creases’ the choreographic technique of repetition is shown of particular movements; which draws the audience’s attention to these certain movements and makes them stand out, this also creates the sense that these movements must be important.

The setting on the choreography piece is on a stage which is well lit, enabling the audience to see everything that is going on. There are eight dancers in this choreography- four male and four female. The women wear blue/grey leotards, and the males where a pale two tone long sleeve unitard. This dress code conforms to the traditional stereotypes of the genre.

I found this piece of choreography both intriguing and exciting. Overall I really enjoyed watching it. 

Bibliography: 

Youtube.com. (2019). Video of “In creases”. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIiDMOVkhf0 [Accessed 6 Dec. 2019].