Passion
lives in ‘Paul Taylor 2’
By Monica Levette Clark
On-line Forty-Niner
 Paul
Taylor is regarded as a giant among modern
dance choreographers. Time magazine called
him “the reigning master of modern dance,”
and the San Francisco Examiner said that
he was “without question the greatest American
choreographer.”
But when asked how he sees himself, Taylor
said he is simply a reporter whose job is
to observe the masses and document his findings.
In 1956, Paul Taylor assembled his own dance
company, making its international debut
tour in 1960 in Spoleto, Italy.
The company went on to perform in over 450
cities in more than 60 countries. Almost
four decades later, Taylor decided he needed
another company to bring his dances to the
public, and established the Paul Taylor
2 company.
The junior company performed at the Martha
B. Knoebel Dance Theater last Thursday,
bringing three of Taylor’s exceptional works
to Cal State Long Beach.
Sponsored by the Los Angeles based collective,
Brockus Project Dance Company, Taylor 2
performed “Airs,” “Dust” and “Piazzolla
Caldera.” Made up of six dancers — three
women and three men — “Taylor 2” displayed
the legendary technique of its choreographer,
including the signature spiraling movements.
“Airs,” first performed in 1978, and later
re-staged for six dancers in 1996, featured
excerpts of classical music by Handel. Lit
with blue lighting to compliment the dancers
conservative costumes, “Airs” was modern
dance in its most balletic form.
Movements were clean, linear and kinetic.
Even in stillness the dance flowed and traveled
through the space of the stage, with dancers
breaking off into duets, trios and solos,
expressing the tone of each concerto and
overture with their bodies.
In “Dust,” the dancers appeared almost nude
in tan, skin-tight unitards, revealing their
muscular structures. The movements were
choppy, resembling the staccato melodies
of the music by Francis Poulenc.
The dancers displayed fast footwork during
sections of the dance, breaking off into
character-like movements.
The best dance was saved for last. “Piazzolla
Caldera,” was set to Spanish. Tango inspired
sounds of music by Astor Piazzolla and Jerzy
Peterburshsky. The dancers appeared in black
attire, complete with the women dancing
in black high-heels.
The dance was fierce and passionate, allowing
the dancers to explore their sexual personalities.
The sections were mere sexual fantasies,
with the dancers breaking away into threesomes
and foursomes.
Dara Adler, a company dancer was highlighted
as a temptress during her solo, completely
immersing herself in her sexy role. The
movements were shocking and smoldering,
with partnering sections that left you hanging
on the edge of every gyration and grind
of the dancers’ hips and pelvises.
The concert included intermissions after
each dance, which were about 20 minutes
or more each. The dancers received an impressive
applause from the small audience that attended
the concert.
|
