"Qicedo Está: On the stage the energies converges."
. . .
"Qicedo Está"
The Tai Chi and the Contemporary Dance are fused in this piece of almost 9 minutes. I bring them to you because I want to show you a little of what we cook in class. In addition, I was part of the cast and I think it's great to tell you the details and the different processes not only personally but collectively, from the mistakes, the trials and the joys.
This was the final work of Techniques for the Body 1: Tai chi, under the tutorship of Professor Marilyn Belgrave. The preparation was arduous, we were in an approximate of 3 months managing to internalize an Oriental Technique in western bodies. Trying to understand some of its principles like: breathe, relax the body and concentrate. It is important to be rooted to the earth; the control of the center or the pelvis, where that force comes from to perform the movements; the distribution of weight and the search for energy balance in the body and at the same time with others; the smoothness in the movements but at the same time the precision. It is really difficult but it is indescribable when you achieve some of these.
Tai Chi is a martial art that combines physical and mental exercise. It is part of the internal styles of Kung Fu. It is a philosophy of life, it takes a lot of Taoism and Buddhism. It is self-control, self-knowledge, harmony with one and with the environment. It is wonderful for personal development. As any activity or body technique requires time for the body to assimilate and go encountering this.
The dancers of Qicedo Esta were: Sabrina Morantes, Nacary Villegas, Sabrina Valero, Jhosand, Oriana Canelones, Selene Rodriguez, Emilce Sosa and Leoranny Petit.
In Qicedo, everything was fitting in as we worked. We distributed ourselves as a couple and we were exploring, the main guideline was the counterweight: two opposing forces, like two people pulling a rope; the softness, the breathing and the concentration, is the main one. From this, we were linking each variation as a couple. Being a collective work, it was much harder to harmonize it but with practice, rehearsals and scolding, we were becoming a perfect puzzle. Music is an important part of this process, we use La Dispute by the famous Yann Tiersen.
The name comes from the bodies that are not there but the energy is still there. During the work process a companion had to leave by forces alien to him. In view of this and thinking about it, we decide Qi (or Chi = energy), Cedo (by its name) and Is, because its energy is with us and it is part of us.
When the day arrived, not only were we completely nervous, we overflowed with joy, we were a scandal in dressing rooms. Personally, it was really great and satisfying to be on boards and feel how the energy in which we had worked so much managed to be there and everyone managed to be part of this. In tables everything is ephemeral, it is possible to be and not to be. The only valid tool is concentration and connection with others.
It has been one of the best experiences. I leave the video, I hope you enjoy the work
. . .
#
Always grateful with:
Photography: Melina Hidalgo Lovera
Video: Anny Primera
Teachers Marilyn Belgrave for the knowledge and Oscar, for the invitation.
The University of the Andes
The César Rengifo Theater.