When watching the Butoh work a lot of the qualities I can identify are clear comparisons to death and a close link to re- incarnation. Obvious maybe, but to most almost weird???I feel the combination of living activities with almost dead like participants is fascinating and horrible.
good comments Lisa. The butoh performer is to be reconnected to the earth and the nether world. They are an incarnation of life, death and all things in between.
Butoh 'participants' are in a heightened state of life (and performance) their are in uniquely close contact with very visceral experiences and emotions. As a psychophysical practice the whole body/mind is completely engaged/alive.
looking at the links to butoh i can definately see the idea of being between life and death. To a western dance world the movements are very un-natural...but im some ways they are MORE natural, stripped back to purity and exploring every part of the body almost initiated from the breath within.The breath being the sign of live, but its un-natural rhythm to everyday breathing gives it that sense of neither alive nor dead. i feel that the facial expressions in Butoh are very important in expressing this style. Again it is very natural expression but in this content it becomes very grotesque and really emphasises the link to the dead and disturbing. The movement and expression can make these performances very uneasy to watch, it can be almost painful, especially in the 'Huesos Ratos' performance.The use of the spine sculpted on the outside of the body both emphasises the idea of the bodies being neither living or dead, but the way the spine shapes and moves with the body really draw on the grotesque and painful qualities of the performers. Another point i noticed in a couple of these links is the use of lighting on the stage, it is though the performers are attracted to it, like a moth to a light. Alot of the stage could be in darkness and wherever the light is they see to congrigate to that area. In some ways i see this as the dead or partly dead are trying to hold onto that last bit of light..i.e LIFE. Concluding this, although this style of performance and the theme is quite disturbing, i cant help but be intrigued by it. it draws you in and almost hypnotises you.
having watched some of butoh's performances i can see an obvious contrast to western dance, although researching into the style i realised that it was in fact a development from western dance styles-which were traditional japanese dances. i just think that its power comes from the dancer performing it, in a mental as well as physical sense. It directs energy straight to the audience from the surroundings, the environment and the audience themselves as well as from the mind. the theme, (like lauren and every one else before has stated) is definatly hypnotising as you feel drawn in by it. especially the facial expressions and the fact that they are linked to both life and death. this is very chilling but very intriguing.
I have found a quote which explains the butoh movements which is relevant. "There is a general trend towards the body as "being moved," from an internal or external source, rather than consciously moving a body part. A certain element of "control vs. uncontrol" is present through many of the exercises."
When watching the Butoh work a lot of the qualities I can identify are clear comparisons to death and a close link to re- incarnation. Obvious maybe, but to most almost weird???I feel the combination of living activities with almost dead like participants is fascinating and horrible.
ReplyDeletei find it disterbing but intreaging. and fansinated by the depth of the butoh technique :)
ReplyDeletegood comments Lisa. The butoh performer is to be reconnected to the earth and the nether world. They are an incarnation of life, death and all things in between.
ReplyDeleteButoh 'participants' are in a heightened state of life (and performance) their are in uniquely close contact with very visceral experiences and emotions. As a psychophysical practice the whole body/mind is completely engaged/alive.
looking at the links to butoh i can definately see the idea of being between life and death. To a western dance world the movements are very un-natural...but im some ways they are MORE natural, stripped back to purity and exploring every part of the body almost initiated from the breath within.The breath being the sign of live, but its un-natural rhythm to everyday breathing gives it that sense of neither alive nor dead.
ReplyDeletei feel that the facial expressions in Butoh are very important in expressing this style. Again it is very natural expression but in this content it becomes very grotesque and really emphasises the link to the dead and disturbing. The movement and expression can make these performances very uneasy to watch, it can be almost painful, especially in the 'Huesos Ratos' performance.The use of the spine sculpted on the outside of the body both emphasises the idea of the bodies being neither living or dead, but the way the spine shapes and moves with the body really draw on the grotesque and painful qualities of the performers.
Another point i noticed in a couple of these links is the use of lighting on the stage, it is though the performers are attracted to it, like a moth to a light. Alot of the stage could be in darkness and wherever the light is they see to congrigate to that area. In some ways i see this as the dead or partly dead are trying to hold onto that last bit of light..i.e LIFE.
Concluding this, although this style of performance and the theme is quite disturbing, i cant help but be intrigued by it. it draws you in and almost hypnotises you.
having watched some of butoh's performances i can see an obvious contrast to western dance, although researching into the style i realised that it was in fact a development from western dance styles-which were traditional japanese dances.
ReplyDeletei just think that its power comes from the dancer performing it, in a mental as well as physical sense. It directs energy straight to the audience from the surroundings, the environment and the audience themselves as well as from the mind.
the theme, (like lauren and every one else before has stated) is definatly hypnotising as you feel drawn in by it. especially the facial expressions and the fact that they are linked to both life and death. this is very chilling but very intriguing.
i also love the fact that some of their performances are in silence but they tell so much !!
ReplyDeleteI have found a quote which explains the butoh movements which is relevant.
ReplyDelete"There is a general trend towards the body as "being moved," from an internal or external source, rather than consciously moving a body part. A certain element of "control vs. uncontrol" is present through many of the exercises."