“Steps in the Street” from “Chronicle” by Martha graham

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkuB5WwQGE&t=47s)

The second piece of work I have chosen to study from Martha graham is “Steps in the Street” from “Chronicle by Martha graham performed by the Martha Graham company (2020).  Immediately I can notice that whilst the steps of this piece echo Grahams signature style and technique, the overall mood and composition of this choreography are quite different. Compared to “Diversions of angels” this dance has a greater focus on steps and patterns in spacing rather than following a linear like story. The movements themselves are much sharper and faster. There is a great sense of rush I get from this piece as if the dancers are running from something. There are also nice moments of stillness like from the screenshot which add contrast; the stillness that comes from the fast paste movements adds a heavy mood. I think all this allures the audience in and gives a greater scope for interpretation. The dynamics of this dance match the music. The tempo of the piece is very jumpy, to match this the choreography includes lots of springy jumps which make up most of the movement. Personally, I really like the use of spacing to symmetry whilst all the dancers move simultaneously which reminds me of a pack of animals who would move together. Despite this there isn’t a deep sense of emotion from this dance, and I feel like the audience is more connected with the movements themselves.

I think this piece of choreography has really inspired me for my “war” motif as the hard and distinguished movements create a sense of power and almost depict a sinister aura. Upon reflection I think there needs to be a bigger contrast between each of my motifs and one step I could take is to speed up my second motif.

·        *  www.youtube.com. (n.d.). ‘Steps in the Street’ from ‘Chronicle’ by Martha Graham. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkuB5WwQGE&t=47s [Accessed 19 Nov. 2023].