Blog 2- Stimulus and Music

 Do you ever feel like you just don’t have time to breathe?

In our world we are constantly on the go, our attention is always needed somewhere, and our mind is always active. Often, we miss so much because we are chasing after everything. This is why I was drawn to the ‘Speed Head’ and the narrative of slowing down and living for today. (Anton Smit date unknown).

 This sculpture to me represents absolute panic. The idea that if we stop running, we will become trampled by the stampede and never achieve our aspirations.

I hope to journey with the audience in realising that we can’t run forever; that we need peace; we need quiet, and we need rest. The industry of dance is all about pushing. I have come to realise the importance of rest and recovery. It is so accurate that if you don’t prioritise recovery after a long dance day, you can’t give of your best the following day. We as people need to learn when to push and when to slow down. 

When was the last time you took an afternoon for yourself away from the hustle of normal life?

The music my group was most drawn to is Ludovico Einaudi’s ‘View From The Other Side- Day 5’ (2019).This music to me sounds like a journey of traveling long distances over mountainous terrain. The vibrations in the rhythm are so soothing, as if lulling one into a dream. In a world full of chaos, this dune-like piece reveals the highs and lows without being frantic. The composition comes to an end almost as if the musician has finally understood to calm down and breathe.

Bibliography:

Einaudi,L. (2019) Einaudi: View From The Other Side Var. 1 (Day 5). July. Available at: https://youtu.be/twzpkQSX5Pc?si=Q-NrLoNnpl93_OiC [Accessed 26 September 2023]

Smit,A. (date unknown) Anton Smit. Available at: https://www.antonsmit.co.za/product/speed-head-2/ [Accessed 26 September 2023]