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

Videopoetry webpage with descriptions: http://www.brendaclews.com/videopoetry/3
Discussing Butoh-based dance having just completed a 4 day workshop with Denise Fujiwara in Toronto, Canada.

My first video, using the in-built webcam on an iMac with iMovie, on Butoh-based dance with a poem in my white flannel nightgown this morning.

Even before coffee. I leave as is. Though I did add the poem later this evening and you might have to increase the volume since, though I re-recorded a number of times much closer to the computer's built-in microphone than the original clip, I wasn't able to arrive at the same volume levels.

In the emptiness of the dancer everything comes to be. I hope I imparted this in my little experimental video. Sharing a recent experience which I am in the process of understanding.

Strange and surreal as it appears, the intensity of the dancers, intimacy, exposure, vulnerability are the core of Butoh.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Butoh-based dance
• performance poetry
• videopoem
• videopoetry
• Brenda Clews

[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

[brendaclews]

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

Many blessings, Brenda

[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

[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!

[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

[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.´