“Unveiling Motion and
Emotion”
writing by Anabella
Lenzu
photos by Todd Carroll
Contemporary dance and
modern choreography are full of descriptors, labels and classifications:
performance art, mixed media, post-modern, hybrid, collaborative genre, dance
theater, performance installation, cross-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary,
trans-disciplinary, interdisciplinary. Frankly, it’s a little hard to keep track.
And this lexicon seems to expand every day – even the term ‘performer’ has
suddenly become insufficient and has been replaced with ‘performancer’.
Anabella Lenzu’s new
book “Unveiling Motion and Emotion” speaks to every sub-category in the
preceding list; to anyone who is part of this dynamic and varied twenty-first
century contemporary dance tradition. “Unveiling Motion and Emotion” addresses the
generalities of being a dance artist today while still honoring the
specificities and differences that exist within the field. With a collection of
essays, Lenzu covers a range of topics – from how folk dance informs modern
choreography to the roles and responsibilities of the teacher to the importance
of dance history and dance pedagogy. And through each short discussion, her primary
question remains clear: how can the current performing, teaching and
choreographic processes work to serve dance as a larger entity.
So many dance books are
deeply technical, overly historical or highly academic. Lenzu has chosen to map
her unique journey as a dance artist through remembrances, recollections and
reflections, making the work completely accessible and entertaining. “Unveiling
Motion and Emotion” has the authenticity of a personal journal but because the
subject matter is broad, it also appeals to the wider dance audience. Lenzu’s
positivity is contagious, yet she does not shy away from the more serious
issues and deeper questions facing dance and choreography today (including
egos, insularity and inner doubt). “Unveiling Motion and Emotion” is a
straightforward read (published simultaneously in Spanish and English),
conversational and genuine – almost like you were chatting with the author over
coffee.
For the most part, the writing
is easy to follow, though some occasional abrupt transitions do interrupt the
flow. And while Lenzu definitely delves into a host of different dance themes,
there is a slight tendency to repeat sentiments and make similar observations
in each chapter. All in all, Anabella Lenzu’s “Unveiling Motion and Emotion” is
a refreshingly vulnerable literary statement, and a great addition to your
summer dance reading list.
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