Revelation Review

Paramita Yasodhara / 13516 / Diploma in Dance Level 2

Dance Aesthetics / Lim Mei Chian

Alvin Ailey’s Revelations is one of the most famous works in modern dance world history. In one of the sections called Move Members, Move, there is a part when the female dancers dance in yellow costumes but barefooted and then the male dancers come out in full black and white formal suit complete with shoes. The women use some props as well, such as hat, fan, and stool. They use a lot of body movements and for the women, a lot of hand and fanning movements and extending legs as well. The women put their ‘free’ hand more likely on their ribs than hips while the men put their clenched fists on their hips most of the time. Almost all of their leg movements are stepping or travelling steps.

The use of body (lifted torso), unison, and repetition such as clapping movements accompanied with playful facial expression that goes along with the music give a very joyful and energetic feeling yet elegance. The movements look quite simple without any big jumps or floor movements, the fact that it is danced in unison most of the time and the African blues and gospels songs that he used make it different from any other dances choreographed at that time. The women sit with open legs and extending the legs either low or high a couple of times, making use of the long dress. The whole dance itself full of pairings moments which make it looks like a social dance and a celebration dance.

The company website mentioned about the piece: “Using African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul,” and also, “born out of the choreographer’s “blood memories” of his childhood in rural Texas and the Baptist Church,” which explains the ‘church in a sunny day’ set and costumes (Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc., “About Revelations”). Briana Reed, one of the dancers in the company once...