"Adam Linder's Acid Gems is like a classical ballet that's been plugged into a neon socket. The Australian choreographer was apparently inspired by Balanchine's famous Jewels, itself a dance reflection of the sparkle of a jeweller's display window, put through Balanchine's rigorous neo-classical filter."
"The dancers' movements remained slow, controlled, responding to Billy Bultheel's repetitive electronic score, even as they evolved into tightly-knit collective shapes, hips jutting forward, knees pushed apart in wide second positions, here and there a touch of vogueing. It was as if they were dancing for themselves, oblivious to the watching public."
"After a brief blackout, the two women descended from their perches and were carried away by two men. And then the 14 dancers onstage really plugged into the socket. The dance became fast, animated, driven by the insistent beat of the music. Now they were giving a performance, and it was very entertaining, too."
Acid Gems, choreographed by Adam Linder for Ballet de Lorraine, reimagines Balanchine's Jewels through a contemporary lens. The piece opens with dancers in asymmetric purple and green lycra costumes moving slowly and deliberately on a bright pink stage, accompanied by repetitive electronic music. Their initial movements are controlled and inward-focused, with exaggerated steps and wide positions suggesting introspection. A pivotal blackout marks a dramatic shift: the tempo accelerates dramatically, dancers execute complex entrechats and fast-jumped foot beats, and the performance transforms into an energetic, entertaining spectacle. The choreography blends classical ballet technique with contemporary elements including vogueing, creating a dynamic contrast between meditative beginning and vibrant conclusion.
#contemporary-ballet #choreography #neon-aesthetics #electronic-music #classical-contemporary-fusion
Read at www.london-unattached.com
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