Emergence by Crystal Pite
danced by the Pacific Northwest Ballet
Before seeing or researching Crystal Pite’s work ‘Emergence’, I thought about the possible meanings behind the title: to emerge is the process of becoming visible after being concealed, or the process of coming into existence or prominence (Oxford English Dictionary). I wondered if the dance would be about a metamorphosis or growth. What would emerge?
Having viewed duets within both Flight Pattern and Canon, I was aware that these dances had been performed in contrast to otherwise collaborative, group movements where individuals acted as a whole. The extract of ‘Emergence’ therefore offered the power and excitement generated by mass movement, which I had so wanted to witness. It was certainly not disappointing!
Similar to the other works, male and female dancers are dressed in the same colour, creating visual harmony and symmetry. The backdrop to the stage is a large, black hole suggesting emergence from the darkness. Coupled with this is the low, thrumming beat of the music – reminiscent of a heartbeat or the soundtrack accompanying danger. However, as the extract starts, the movements do not suggest danger, but power and unity. Organised into 4 separate groups, there is a partial symmetry with the females dancing as one and the males following a similar, but slightly altered pattern of movement. This allows the eye to move freely from one quarter to the next. Arm movements dominate: from high to low, circling around the head, rocking the body backwards and forwards. Unlike Flight Pattern and Canon, the movements are far less fluid but have a kind of robotic, repeated energy. The females run off at 0.25 as a third group of men run on and join the strong, pulsating movements. Contrast is maintained throughout: high to low, slow to fast, open to narrow – all marked out to a definite beat.
Almost like eyes coming into focus, the females return and they slowly merge their movements until at 0.46, the gradual build up to the zenith begins. Circling their arms to the whispered beat – first 3, then 4, then 5, the lighting changes and the whispered, pulsating beat becomes louder and at 12 the lights dramatically fade. They are dancing in perfect unity, working together to make the one powerful whole. Could this be the emergence of the many individuals into one?
The dynamic of this piece appears to differ greatly from Flight Pattern. It is intended to inspire an audience rather than create an emotional connection – yet some similarity of movement is there: the freedom of the outstretched arms, the alternation from high to low, small subtleties produced by a single head movement. The energy, so evident in Canon comes to the fore in Emergence, and the sequential movements, evident in phrases of the Canon duets, are the mainstay of the movements in Emergence.
Crystal Pite has stated that she took her inspiration from reading ‘Emergence: the Connected Lives of Ant, Brains, Cities and Software’ by Steven Johnson. In this he states ‘simple agents following simple rules could generate amazingly complex structures’. I feel it is this has certainly been achieved on stage. Individuals are working together – often performing (what appear to be) simple movements, but the collective effect is powerful. Like a colony of ants, together the dancers can achieve great things by working together. The first pieces certainly featured male and female dancers working together, but the intention and process was different. In these, the dancers were emotionally connected, often in conflict. In Emergence, the connection is entire – they are as one.
There is no doubt that the work has had a huge impact on its audiences and has been warmly received by the industry. The Pacific Northwest Ballet website states that it “went on to win four Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Outstanding Production, Outstanding New Choreography, Outstanding Performance and Outstanding Sound Design/Composition by Owen Belton.” Furthermore, the work received a standing ovation every night it was performed.
References:
Oxford English Dictionary Online (2019) (accessed 1 December 2019) Available at: https://www.oed.com
Pite ,C. (2013) Emergence – Program Notes (accessed 1 December 2019) Available from: from: https://www.pnb.org/repertory/emergence/
Excellent work! Your detailed critical analysis shows clear understanding of Crystal Pite alongside her choreographic work. Was the piece successful, how did it make you feel? Do you think the purpose of the piece came across successfully as an audience? Was there any parts you liked/ disliked? Why? Reflecting back at all three pieces, which piece was your favourite and why?
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to identify a favourite piece, since all had a beauty of their own. If, however, I were to choose one to watch, it would be Emergence because I loved the powerful beat of the music and the way the whole piece was energising to watch. It very much achieved its purpose – to show how the many, acting as one, can achieve great things. I enjoy how Crystal Pite brings in changes of dancers, with individuals and groups running on and melding into the group swiftly and easily. The subtle, but slightly threatening, introduction of counting at the very end of the piece, was again a display of how something simple, when performed collectively, can have great power.
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