Not entirely sure whether this is an exercise in vanity and somewhat under-choreographed soft-core porn or a genuine attempt to bring something new to the original idea.
In essence the original painting was groundbreaking as a result of its subject matter, the fact that it documented the back story to something over which which the "authorities" would rather have drawn a clouded veil and the emergence of a growing trend towards "art" as politics rather than merely decorative.
In construction the painter of the original "The Raft of the Medusa", Théodore Géricault worked with a number of geometric patterns and design motifs brilliantly drawing the viewer's eye into, across and around his painting in a way which both told the story and allowed the imaginative processes to enter into the individual agonies of the victims of this catastrophic episode in French maritime history.
As far as I can see, Lutz Gregor, has found a suitable title, a strong and ready reference point and then abstracted the "idea" whilst providing none of the narrative nor design strengths which so brilliantly and innovatively invest the original.
Instead what we are delivered is a hi-def video version of the opening moments of the Harrods Sale performed in extreme close-up by cellulite-free luvvies in varying stages of orgiastic undress.
I think we have to be very wary of the tendency for examples of overblown dancefilm such as this, to say more and more about less and less.
Mind you, more power to you if you can get some star-struck Arts-Funt Poobahs to stump up the cash. Inviting some hot-looking mates around to your place to bend themselves out of shape in their pants is not a bad alternative to truly innovative choreo-kino creativity.
Go here to see the Wikepedia article on the original work for contrast, comparison and a little critical clarity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raft_of_the_Medusa
Experimental - Dance theatre
Raft of Medusa from Lutz Gregor on Vimeo.
1 comment:
but on the other hand, medusa comes from the chthonic realms, dark sexual forces, and I wonder if Lutz had intended the raft to be just that - a heaving platform of wanton bodies, which I must add completely drew me in the first time I saw this dance video...
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