On Butoh-based Dance- A Saturday morning amble...

[cracac111]

the exorcist

[janmahersh]

Hands in silent clapping

Ears pleased and attentive

Eyes filled with soft vision of a cyber friend on camera

lovely

mesmerizing

[brendaclews]

rcblovw66, thanks! Butoh is the wrenching existential cry that arose from the bombing of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, the raw, naked, vulnerable human in innocence, in pain, open to all of existence... as it has evolved through the decades it has left some of its 'rebel against all forms of traditional dance' by becoming an aesthetic in its own right, and thus a commanding presence in the art world.

[brendaclews]

Elywells, I don't know those movies, though they sound interesting. I know in the very ancient Inanna poems of the ancient Sumerians, Inanna, the goddess of Heaven and Earth, puts "Man, come, man" perfume on as she readies herself for her shepherd lover, Dumuzi. Those titles remind me of that. Thanks for your kind words on my relaxed, un-rehearsed talk...

[brendaclews]

johnfwalter, your understanding of Fujiwara's beautifully simple entry into Butoh is magnificent. I'm glad enough of her approach came through for you to glean what you so eloquently have. And thanks for your kind words on my first video with my then-new iMac... apprectiate. xo

[rcblove66]

Really neat. I'm now scrambling to learn more about Butoh dancing...

[Elywells]

I just saw a movie called "I Love YOu Man". I'm pretty sure that's what it was called. It wasn't bad. But I think I liked "Yes Man" better. Thank you for your performance.

[johnfwalter]

Damn, you have a sexy voice and an erotic presence sprawled out there on your bed, enchanting us all. I adore you & Penelope Cruz!

[johnfwalter]

I love the sepia tone of this video. Your explication of Fujiwara definitely helped clarify my ideas about the ´exposing´ of Butoh. I like the way your teacher uses the most elemental terms--water--to speak to motion, energy, intensity: The emotion is finished for the performance, rather than being evinced. This is almost akin to Meisner´s notion of a ´preparation.´

[brendaclews]

Hi fogpotion9, Great to have you drop by and thanks for the comment... Butoh is an extraordinary form of dance.

Many blessings, Brenda

[fogpotion9]

Wonderful to see and hear you brenda. Thanks for the introduction to this extraordinary form of dance.

[brendaclews]

Hi Slag_Runner, How delightful to receive a comment from you. I am surprised and honoured that you have watched what really is my first attempt at a poetry performance, or whatever it is, and that you appear to have perhaps liked it. Your words are inspiring - what you say of dance, but is also true of poetry, that it "implies and suggests. It coaxes but does not force" is beautifully put.

Many blessings... and thanks, Brenda

[Boudouardsreaction]

Hi Brenda...

A new form of poetry from you. New to me anyway. The dance implies and suggests. It coaxes but does not force.

I watched the video with no sound the first time, just concentrating on the motion; particularly the movement of your hands. It had a certain eerie quality to it that did not entirely disappear when I watched it a second time with sound.

Peace...and thanks

Slag_runner

[mugger883]

wtf

[nahnni]

Insightful with the audience completing the process of the performer. Is this not the very essence of art? Perfectly stated.

I like the vintage sepia tone as well. The best way to describe it is, a photograph come to sudden life and speaking.

[brendaclews]

Dear Nahnni, Thank you for your gracious comment, it means a lot to me. You perfectly understand the symbiotic process of Butoh, and by extension any deep and serious art, whereby the artist only begins the process of the artwork and its embodiment of life, whatever life it portrays, it is the reader, viewer, audience who completes the process as they bring it into themselves.

I had iMac maybe 12 hrs when I let the camera run & what came out had 'the energy' - so wrote a poem. Glad you liked!

[vexations3]

Dear Brenda, I am so glad you had an uplifting experience at the dance workshop. Expose emotions, not explore them - now that is some concept. You look darling Brenda, which does not surprise me. Seems the imac is working very well. Cheers, Bill

[brendaclews]

Dear Bill, Your response means a lot, as you know. Yes, I found the vulnerability of exposing emotions incredible. As a Japanese dance, emotion is never discussed in choreographing, and yet the performer must expose emotion in the dance itself. Very powerful. The iMac is fun, for sure!