It’s official — I finished the project last minute as I usually do and presented the results on Wednesday. The team of experts then had a brief meeting and gave me a passing grade. So, yaaay, I am now officially a college graduate.
THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO HELPED MAKING THIS PROJECT A SUCCESS — and no, I will not share the final images here. Well, not now anyway — I would like to keep the tableaus under tap until the show in September (mark your calendars: MESSE BASEL, SEPT 15–21).
In the spirit of celebration I would like to share a video that’s only slightly dance-related but nonetheless heart-warming and a beautiful example of how dance — even in it’s silliest form — can bring people together. Thanks to Max for passing this on to me, please visit Matt’s website (that’s the guy in the video).
As I was browsing the internet, hoping to find a hip hop remix of Swan Lake to use at the upcoming final presentation of my project, i stumbled upon two reggae-ish versions: The first, a reggae rendering of the theme, was recorded in 1968 by a British band called The Cats (it seems they were from Brixton — though this information is from a questionable source). The second — similar, but with a stronger two tone sound — was released some eleven years later by Madness from London on their debut album One Step Beyond… .
The Cats - Swan Lake (Trojan, 1968)
Madness - Swan Lake
(Footage from Joe Massot’s 1981 Documentary Dance Craze)
Oh, and yes, I am aware of the classic Blackalicious track Swan Lake produced by DJ Shadow and Chief Xcel. But while it actually did sample Tchaikovsky’s music — it is too subtle to be immediately recognised as such.
As the example of Kerli showed, Swan Lake — and ballet in general, for that matter — is still present in popular culture. And because I am fascinated by the various forms this presence can take on, I decided to compile some of the ways in which ballet and Swan Lake have appeared in popular culture. A few music videos…:
Labutí píseň - Jiří Suchý, Vlasta Kahovcová, TOČR, Karel Krautgartner (Czechoslovakia, 196?)
Toni Basil - Mickey (on the Kenny Everett Video Show) (USA, 1982)
The deadline is approaching fast… And so, this past Tuesday, we were doing one last shoot. It was supposed to be held on location by the swan pool, but rain prohibited us from it. Hence it turned into yet another studio shoot. And with my usual digital back unavailable from the rental place, I was shooting with a very dirty Imacon sensor on a Hassy. So, with hours of Photoshop awaiting me, here are a few (pretty much) unedited shots:
Today I stumbled upon Estonian pop singer Kerli playing creepy little White Swan/Black Swan in the video to her song “Walking On Air” which premiered on May 20 of this year. — Seems like I am not the only one still inspired by Swan Lake.
Along with the project itself, the team too has seen some major growth over the past weeks. I would like to acknowledge the people who have recently joined the Swan Lake team (in alphabetical order):
Dan Cajöri assisted me on the big “On Black” studio shoot on June 9.
Julia Clausen posed as the Purple Princess and has helped with the make-up on the “Bridal Show” shoot on May 26.
Maria Heijbel posed as the Turquoise Princess for the “Bridal Show” shoot on May 26.
Tom Koritschan assisted me on location on the “Unwilling to Marry” shoot on May 10.
Sara Magnaguagno posed as the Green Princess for the “Bridal Show” shoot on May 26.
Helge Philipp, eurhythmics dancer and teacher, has joined the cast in the role of Von Rothbart.
Kambiz Shafei assisted me on the “Red on Red” (studio, April 20), “Blue on Blue” (studio, May 11), “Swan Pool” (on location, May 19) and the big “On Black” (studio, June 9) shoots.
Frederick Tischhauser assisted me on the “Bridal Show” shoot on May 26.
Maika Tischhauser posed as the Yellow Princess for the “Bridal Show” shoot on May 26.
After having originally omitted von Rothbart — the “evil genie” in Swan Lake — from my version, I have reconsidered after lady luck (or, more accurately one of the collaborating dancers) tossed another dancer in my lap. Without further ado, I present to you: Helge Philipp as von Rothbart.
Prince Siegfried doesn’t have it easy… His mother wants him to marry and presents him with a wild bunch of aggressive princesses from the neighboring kingdoms.
Von Rothbart deceives Prince Siegfried
