Sometimes it is hard to draw an argument for a research of language when all the tools available to do it are nothing but language itself. The attempt seems to generate a knot of selfreferencial discourse and as one tries to express a meaning, the meaning is nothing but the structure built, within it the ability to grab, draw and engage the reader. Again what comes to attention is the importance not strictly of a final meaning nor of a plot (in a practice sittuation), but of the sequence of words, the embroidery of sepparate meanings creating poetry or, if not poetry in the sense we define it, some body of the sort which exists and weighs upon us in itself, with no other purpose but its presence to be felt.
As I have defined it, I am researching language. I had known this for a while before writing but it was not until some weeks that I expressed it fully, put it into simple words. I am looking at how language (visual and verbal) can be used to create a performance, not through a predetermined script, but through a simultaneous development of language and performance, in order to communicate the subtleties and beauty of language in itself. The plot becomes of second importance as the discourse, its textures, rhythms and colours approaches, attacks or lie upon the audiences. The inttention is not to drop the plot, not to extinguish narrative, it is also using these that discourses are developed, in order to bring them to light, however language should not be the means, but like in poetry it should shine brighter.
I have been looking quite a lot at Becket, the way he works with language. Although, his plays are constructed from a very defined script with precise dialogues/monologues, and stage directions, it is language that counts the most. It weighs like a bag and has shape and presence as something squeezing or softening the audience. Phillip Glass, in a documentary of Einstein on the Beach, comments how the emotional high of the play always happens in a different moment as you repeatdly watch it. It is always a different experience altered by the audience's perception on each night. It is different from conventional scripts, where in the communication of plot is the most important, its heros, events and romances.
Finally, the devised performance opens up for change, as language and performance are constructed together, they are always shaping and reshaping each other. It becomes an always transforming piece.
As I have defined it, I am researching language. I had known this for a while before writing but it was not until some weeks that I expressed it fully, put it into simple words. I am looking at how language (visual and verbal) can be used to create a performance, not through a predetermined script, but through a simultaneous development of language and performance, in order to communicate the subtleties and beauty of language in itself. The plot becomes of second importance as the discourse, its textures, rhythms and colours approaches, attacks or lie upon the audiences. The inttention is not to drop the plot, not to extinguish narrative, it is also using these that discourses are developed, in order to bring them to light, however language should not be the means, but like in poetry it should shine brighter.
I have been looking quite a lot at Becket, the way he works with language. Although, his plays are constructed from a very defined script with precise dialogues/monologues, and stage directions, it is language that counts the most. It weighs like a bag and has shape and presence as something squeezing or softening the audience. Phillip Glass, in a documentary of Einstein on the Beach, comments how the emotional high of the play always happens in a different moment as you repeatdly watch it. It is always a different experience altered by the audience's perception on each night. It is different from conventional scripts, where in the communication of plot is the most important, its heros, events and romances.
Finally, the devised performance opens up for change, as language and performance are constructed together, they are always shaping and reshaping each other. It becomes an always transforming piece.
2 Comments:
Hey Tania,
A few things that have struck me…
You talk about defining your research interests through using a visual and verbal language to construct your performance, but can that not apply to everything that exists in performance? It opens up the whole field of performance making: the visual language of movement, light, object, the body etc. and then the verbal language on top of that. Perhaps it would be useful to bear in on what it is about ‘language’ that interests you – what beauty? What makes language beautiful? It’s poetry? It’s power?
I have a lot more thoughts on this but will not fill up this space- If you want to talk about it let me know!
Rich
In reply to Rich's comments, which are very pertinent, I would like to reafirm my interest in language as poetry. And that this interest derives from my love for books and recitals. I have chosen to broaden this research in order to aproach the visuals in performance from a verbal point of view, but also thinking of the means for transposing this verbal poetry into movements and scenography. All in order to create a performance which strikes not through a specific plot but more through particular moments, like sentences in a poem.
Having said that I hope to have clarified some doubts about the research... but I would love to speak to you (Rich) about it anyway.
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