"I like to watch trees grow. I meditate all the time. You know, I don't sleep much - it's a known fact that sleep is required more for the brain than the body because the brain needs sleep to dream. But I dream all the time. I dream when I'm awake, when I create work, with my eyes open. So who needs sleep?"- Ohad Naharin
Ohad Naharin rehearsing Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet for "Decadance"
So what is the true meaning behind Ohad Naharin and his work? I think that if you asked him this question, he would say "whatever you want it to be." I believe that Naharin does everything that he does so that everyone involved, including dancers and non-dancers, can be open to "pleasure." As a dancer myself, this is why I think Ohad Naharin is so important to dance today- because he narrows all of the hard work, or "effort" of dance down to the most significant element, which is pleasure. That is the reason why people dance, because they find pleasure in it. Naharin's theories of dance and it being full of pleasure are so important, because he reminds everyone that pleasure is the source of all that we do- why else would we do everything in life?
I also believe the significance behind Naharin is to remind the world to keep testing limits and pushing past boundaries. After all, it was due a back injury that led to Naharin's discovery of Gaga. Instead of letting his injury hold him back, he allowed it to reveal new boundaries and ways of dancing. It is this kind of discovery, or "research" as said by Naharin, that is the core of all movements. Ohad Naharin has shown me that I can discover new possibilities in myself everyday.
To get a better idea of Ohad Naharin's outlook on dance, watch the following "BAM Next Stage" Video: http://www.bamnextstage.org/#/intro/ohad-naharin
"I move to survive."- Ohad Naharin
I love how different Ohad Naharin is from any other choreographer I've seen, especially when it comes to his technique. Gaga is so fascinating to watch; I'm glad choreographers like Lauri Stallings are bringing it to the U.S.! I find the parallels between Naharin and Graham quite interesting as well. Even though Naharin departed from her movement aesthetic (as did Cunningham and Hawkins, interestingly enough...) he was still greatly responsible for creating a movement vocabulary unique to his country, just like Graham did for American modern dance.
ReplyDeleteI also love how he believes dance is for everyone! I, too, think that everyone should get the chance to dance for pleasure. His beliefs and principles about his dancing are very enlightening and ones that I wouldn't have trouble adopting myself. With all the hardships he's overcome and his contributions to the dance world, I have to say Naharin is quite inspiring! I look forward to following his progression in the dance world.
Wow. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this magnificent dancer and choreographer. I find it so interesting that this man's entire movement vocabulary came from a seemingly limitation; his back injury. Instead of allowing this situation to stop him from dancing, he allowed it to create movement. This unique way of moving is so beautiful to watch. It looks so freeing and vulnerable, yet there is a certain strength and control to the movement.
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoyed visiting the links to videos of Ohad Naharin's choreography. I sat astounded and breathless as I watched three very different pieces unfold. Oh, to be an audience member at one of his concerts! The way his dancers move is so intimate and personal that as a viewer I felt as if I knew them. I look forward to his future work and will definitely be finding more of his pieces to watch via the web.