SPIRALARTS SESSION AT OPEN EALING 17.3.24
Bryony. Dave. Liz. David Phelops. Marc. Miriam. Ruby. Miu.
THEME 1 – WATER/THE SEA
THEME 2 – INTEGRATION OF MUSICIANS IN THE ACTION
Ruby was filming.
Another inspiring session.
We began with a warm up/preparation as usual to open up physically and integrate as a group. We
focused on ‘fluidity’ in preparation for working on our ‘seascape’ – everyone contributed their own
moves. I then taught some movement motifs that could be used later in the piece.
We worked with the idea of Sea starting small and building, following the music (Miu improvising
on piano) We placed the piano in centre of room with the group interconnected behind the piano,
facing the pianist and softly following her moves around the piano. The music built and on a strong
chord the group broke away from each other, moving individually but working with the motifs we
explored in the warm up.
We felt it would be a good idea too have David P as Poseidon, possibly with a drum as a still point
amidst all the movement. Maybe behind on a higher level?
I think this piece could do with some group choreography to balance the improvisation.
We allowed time to discussion
We finished again with David P and Singing In the Rain, developing what we did the previous time
and all learning and joining in the singing and dancing, this time introducing an umbrella!
We all agreed this could be a good audience participation piece.
We finished with a close down and went to the cafe to start structuring the whole idea for
performance and integration with film.
Bryony Williams
Group Session Sunday 11th February 2024, 1-4 pm
Open Ealing Arts Centre
Marc, Dave, Miriam, Sarah, Jo, Miu, Bryony
Theme 1: Water
Theme 2: Integration of the musicians into the action
Another unique and lovely session, the creative alchemy between these artists never ceases to surprise, energise and amaze. There is a real joy and freedom in working creatively and collaboratively.
As always we began with a physical warm up with everyone joining in, led by Bryony, based around the movement and qualities of water. We worked with fluidity, turbulence and stillness, exploring waves and spirals. Each person in the group added their own ‘water’ movement.
We also did some mirroring exercises, reflecting each others movement.
Again no vocal warm up, as no one to lead it.
Marc then played a piece of Ravel to us, a boat on the ocean. First we listened then improvised freely and individually to embody the music.
We then formed a linked group, joining little fingers, behind him and mirrored the movement of the pianist as he played.
Miu then took over at the piano and improvised to a general theme of a trickle of water building into a river, into an ocean….
The group formed a line behind her putting hands on the shoulders of the person in front, the first person had their hands on Miu’s shoulders and followed her movement, which was reflected through the line. A music led experiment, which worked well, but we thought there needed to be more shape and stillness incorporated in the group movement to contrast the fluidity.
There was some discussion as to how it felt for the musicians to have the music embodied in this way so close to them.
The group then repeated the exercise linked by only one arm, which gave more freedom of movement, but was less connected and less effective.
After a break, Miu produced a little hand held keyboard, with a tube and mouthpiece, a fascinating and unusual instrument which she played beautifully while we improvised movement to It.
Jo then followed playing a recorder, becoming a pied piper with everyone following her.
Finally we changed the mood and began choreographing the song ‘Singing in the Rain’, some light relief which everyone enjoyed. We began posed in chairs around the room and used the chairs as our dancing partners, sharing some fun choreography. Ultimately we hope it will be sung live by David with an umbrella in his arm, a choreographed piece that could be used for audience participation.
We finished with a quiet ‘close down’ led by Dave.
It is an important part of the way we work to ensure a good preparation at the beginning and quiet breath and movement at the end.
Bryony Williams
12.2.2024
Group Meeting Sunday 14th January, 1-4 pm at Open Ealing Arts Centre
Bryony, Dave, Liz, Bibi, David Phelops, Rosalie, Miriam, India
(problems on railways kept others away)
Theme: Lake and Sea – water
Every session we have seems to be a spontaneous adventure, loosely based around a theme, all
depending on the alchemy of those present. Sometimes dance/movement is more prominent,
sometimes music and sometimes singing and poetry.
Each session is a unique and creative experience!
All sessions begin with a movement warm up to engage the bodies and unify the group. This
included the beginning of a dance/kata composed of spiral moves created by members of the
group, a work in progress, integrated by Bryony. No time for vocal warm up this session.
James sent a recording of one of his compositions ‘Dialika’, a river in the desert in Mali (Marimba,
Celeste, Double Bass) a beautiful meditative piece. We worked with Liz and Bryony as a Grecian
style waterfall backdrop of choreographed movement with Tibetan Water Bowls, three others
formed a triangle around us, reflecting our moves, then mirroring each other. Celia, will become
centrepiece of this scenario, but was not there at this session.
Next we worked with Bibi who had written a wonderful poem inspired by the sea, “I watched the
waves….” the rest of the group improvised movement to her words. We decided to leave this
mainly improvised with an agreed shape/structure. Bibi should be the “Luna Lady who plays with the water…”
Finally we changed mood completely and danced and sang to a medley of Swing songs sung
brilliantly by David P, good fun and energetic. We agreed they need to be choreographed (chorus
line?) and could be used for some audience participation. They are a good balance for our
programme.
I am always in awe of the ease of creativity, spontaneity and generosity of everyone in this group, it is heartwarming.
It was great to have India Dillon there for the first time, she is doing a wonderful job building a
following, setting up crowd funding and dealing with social media in the most artistic and creative way. We are grateful.
Bryony Williams
17. 1. 2024