exploring mediated choreography
Our focus was to use a combined approach into mediated choreography, deeply intrigued by the vast realm of dream sequences we wanted to explore how to recreate the distortion, similarity and symbolism. In our discussions, we delved into the intricacies of dreams, noting their fluidity where conventional notions of time and space dissolve, and symbols hold profound significance and no significance. Motivated by these insights, our project aimed to craft a film installation that would offer viewers an immersive journey through the labyrinthine landscapes of the subconscious.
We envisioned a multi-sensory experience, where short film clips, could represent dreamlike vignettes, would be projected onto an array of fabrics, enveloping the audience in a 360-degree panorama of sensations. The choice of fabrics was intended to emulate the tactile diversity and surreal juxtapositions often encountered in dreams. Also, blankets and pillows were used to directly frame a reference to sleep spaces but also to create an inviting and familiar tactile experience. From the soft, organic textures reminiscent of lush forest scenes to the stark, sterile surfaces of white walls and fluorescent-lit spaces, each texture served as a canvas for exploring the dichotomies inherent in the dream experience.
A question that arose for me, central to our creative inquiry was the question: How can the manipulation of texture and fabric in film mimic a dreamlike atmosphere that also emphasizes the realms of distortion and familiarity within the dreaming mind?
Drawing inspiration from surrealist aesthetics and psychological theories of dream interpretation, our project aimed to provoke introspection and contemplation, inviting viewers to decipher the language of the subconscious. In this way we endeavored to transport our audience into a realm where reality and illusion intertwine, leaving them to reflect on the boundless depths of their own human psyche.
Role & inspiration
For this project, I held several roles, but my primary focus was as the editor. Within this capacity, my task was to employ various editing techniques to recreate the seamless journey of a dream, achieved through layering and distortion. Emphasizing the editing technique of looping and repetition, I drew inspiration from our lecture on the choreography of the edit, which underscored the impact of rhythm in screendance on audience reception. I aimed to manipulate the overlay of rhythms to evoke a sense of distorted confusion, juxtaposing steady and predictable music with visually distorted imagery, challenging the audience's ability to make coherent connections. While this project was inspired by a surrealist approach, I was inspired by the film “Reines d’un Jour” by Pascal Magnin.
The angle of the camera and the perspective of the bodies on screen suggests and intimacy between the viewer and the performers. intimate perspective suggested by the camera angle and body positioning in the film, I sought to replicate this closeness through a point-of-view (POV) edit. I appreciated the abrupt cuts in the vignettes, preventing viewers from settling into any one motif for too long.
In my editing process, while the layering of scenes created flow, the order of clips intentionally bounced back and forth, emphasizing distortion and preventing predictability, crucial for the immersive viewing experience we aimed to create. Drawing from Eiko Otake's insights in "Envisioning Dance on Film and Video," where she discusses using a mirage technique in the creation of an installation titled Breath to enhance viewers' atmospheric experience, I aimed to incorporate distorted yet naturally flowing imagery, evoking the confusion of a dreamlike state without inducing anxiety.
repetition | looping
A secondary but crucial technique employed was repetition. Simon Fildes references repetition in by saying “the loops may look identical but we as viewers do not remain the same and each time we watch the loop, a combination of expectation and memory reframes what we see and we thus gain deeper awareness as the engagement with the work goes on. The repetition creates a revelation and transformation of experience.” Inspired by Simon Fildes' exploration of how loops prompt deeper awareness and transformation, I recognized how repetition mirrors elements of dreams where images or symbols recur, blurring the lines between reality and subconscious experiences. By weaving repeating images into the narrative, I aimed to disrupt linear storytelling, compelling viewers to navigate a nonlinear progression akin to the fragmented nature of dreams, where meaning and connections remain elusive, much like the confusion upon waking from a dream.
Symbolism | insects
Finally, I aimed to subtly incorporate symbolism into our project. According to Carl Jung, dreams serve as a conduit for the unconscious mind to communicate with the conscious mind, often through symbolic imagery with multiple layers of meaning. To engage in dreamwork effectively, one must maintain an open-minded approach and explore dreams from various perspectives. I sought to evoke dream symbolism in this work through the motif of insects. Insects historically carry diverse meanings in dream interpretation, symbolizing aspects ranging from beauty and rebirth to agricultural predictions. For my own interpretation, insects inhabit the intersection between the natural world and the manmade, adding depth to their symbolic significance.
Driven by this concept, I was inspired to use insects as a symbolic bridge, connecting the contrasting textures depicted in our filmed scenes. By sourcing clips of insects from documentaries and capturing footage on location, I aimed to add another layer of interpretation, inviting viewers to draw their own conclusions from the work, much like the process of deciphering symbols in one's own dreams. Through this approach, our project aimed to offer a nuanced exploration of symbolism, encouraging viewers to engage with the imagery on a personal and interpretive level, and fostering a deeper connection with the thematic elements woven throughout the film installation.
In conclusion, through these approaches, I created the edit to this short dance film that loops continuously over ten minutes, complemented by three shorter clips playing in rotation on various screens. The intention behind this composition is to immerse viewers in an immersive dream-like experience akin to a virtual reality journey. As viewers step into the layers of fabric surrounding them, they are invited to traverse a non-linear narrative, entering at a point devoid of conventional beginnings and experiencing an end reminiscent of the perplexing sensation of waking up from a dream, where understanding remains elusive. Through this creative endeavor, I aimed to offer audiences a transcendent encounter, blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion, and inviting them to explore the enigmatic depths of the human psyche.
Sources
Brandon, D. N. (2022, March 10). Jungian Dream Analysis: Exploring the Unconscious Mind. Dr Nathan Brandon. https://drnathanbrandon.com/jungian-dream-analysis-exploring-the-unconscious-mind/#:~:text=Jung%20believed%20that%20dreams%20are
Eye Spots and Owl Eyes on Moths. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://youtu.be/-bfptQwxJsQ?si=BZMg06Ru_AUiYhUX
Fildes, S. (n.d.). Repetition, revelation and transformation, the loop in video dance structure. [Review of Repetition, revelation and transformation, the loop in video dance structure. ].
Klein, B. A. (2011). The Curious Connection Between Insects and Dreams. Insects, 3(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects3010001
Mitoma, J., ZIMMER, E., & Stieber, D. A. (Eds.). (2002). Envisioning dance on film and video. Routledge.
Monarch butterfly emerging time lapse. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://youtu.be/pgtmlVqCKxc?si=9GfxBpizq4rQZFo
Reines d’un jour. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://youtu.be/4XU75k1P-sk
