The video dance Put That Away and Talk to Me is available to watch at the top of the page.
Unifying the dynamic beauty of dance with the cinematic nuances of film, video dance crafts a unique choreographic language that is expressly designed for screen viewing. This art form diverges from the traditional live performance, offering an immersive experience that a theater seat simply cannot provide. The camera is not just a recording device but an integral creative partner: it captures unexpected perspectives, drawing the viewer close for an intimate exploration of the dancer’s form or stepping back to present a comprehensive tableau. Additionally, meticulous editing amplifies the visual facets and carefully weaves the storyline of the piece.
In the digital age, video dance is gaining substantial recognition. Social media platforms like TikTok, brimming with amateur dance clips that garner millions of views daily, have played a significant role in propelling this art form into the mainstream. Yet, it’s crucial to distinguish between these rapidly-changing, popular dance trends and the rigorous, conceptual work undertaken by dance professionals in their video dance productions. For these artists, digital platforms are more than mere stages for sharing their work. They facilitate the construction of complex narratives, the elicitation of profound emotions, and the incorporation of the camera as an essential creative tool.
An excellent demonstration of this is the video dance piece Put That Away and Talk to Me by dancer and choreographer Avi Mazliah. Filmed during his travels in India, the piece interweaves choreographed and improvised sequences set to James Blake’s song of the same title, showcasing dance as a universal language. The video dance, Put That Away and Talk to Me, is available for viewing at the top of the page.
Mazliah’s work resonates deeply with our shared human vulnerability and the universal yearning for connection. His creative journey began one emotionally charged night in Kasol, a small town in northern India, as he grappled with intense feelings of loneliness. He found liberation through movement, sparking the concept for his video dance. Throughout his travels, any overwhelming emotion would inspire him to dance, forging a connection between himself and his environment. Mazliah recorded these moments in various locations, each imprinting its unique character and authenticity on the footage. Upon returning to Israel, he had a collection of ninety takes, which he carefully refined into the exquisite final piece we see today.
The choreography Mazliah crafted symbolizes the song’s message: an appeal to discard digital distractions and silence the internal turbulence of disruptive thoughts and self-criticism, thus enabling a deeper emotional connection with oneself and others. His work stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of presence, engagement, and receptivity to the world around us. Through these practices, we can uncover a common rhythm that unites us all. Mazliah’s piece reveals the power of dance as a communicative tool, as a means of expressing internal struggles, and as a conduit for building intercultural connections. His video dance Put That Away and Talk to Me uplifts the viewer and resonates with the significant statement behind it.
The video dance Put That Away and Talk to Me is available to watch at the top of the page.
