Ondine

"Erdem’s designs for Corybantic Games in their nude tones, made of fabric of such “low denier they almost appear naked above the waist” responds – unknowingly – to Balanchine’s puritanical utilitarianism" Sarasota Ballet's Daniel Pratt on costumes. https://www.dancing-times.co.uk/daniel-pratt-on-costumes-for-ballet/ (I don't like the white lycra knickers, I feel for the women who have to wear them, but that's another issue.)

In 1946, had we had the internet, there would have been a thread here complaining that Fred Ashton was too lazy to think of a proper title for Symphonic Variations which gave us a clue what it was about. Much sucking in of breath and hitching up of bosoms, along with dark mutterings about how we are going to hell in a handcart and chimps at the zoo could do equally as well, or some such. That there Mr Petipa did PROPER DANCING with REAL TITLES and we knew what to expect with Sleeping Beauty. Even the De Valois woman had stories we could understand. Rhapsody. Called after the music? I could go on. I didn't used to like Prokofiev's ballet music, I worked at it and of course I saw the light. I am old enough to recall when MacMillan's ballets were not widely admired by respected critics. Now of course he's hailed as a genius. Nobody has even seen it yet! Nor heard a note nor seen the set and cossies.

Is 'Untitled 2023' really so very far removed from Ashton calling Symphonic Variations ... Symphonic Variations? Balanchine's Symphony in C? I wonder what the composer has called her music? Nobody has seen it yet.

I note in passing that Osipova's 2011 utterly delightful Coppelia with the Bolshoi which was a cine broadcast (I miss those, for obvious reasons my local cinema has stopped them if indeed they are still happening, used to be Sunday afternoons, lunch at the pub and then ballet) is on YT. Clearly it would be a breach of copyright to link, it's not the official channel, though I'm not too sure the Bolshoi is too bovvered, it's been there almost two years, a search Coppélia - Full Length Ballet by Bolshoi Theatre ft. Natalia Osipova from user The Dances, Inc. will be helpful. Or DM me.

That's what the ROH says. Who am I to argue? 🙂

Corybantic Games. Is that not Christopher Wheeldon?

I linked above, there are a number of them in a slideshow, I'll put it again. I can see why McGregor is drawn to her work, her philosophy. https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/carmen-herrera

Really? Multiple meanings of text again. But if you consider yourself patronised, that's your reading of my text. Though I am rather surprised that McGregor is being condemned for a dancework not yet seen on the basis of its title, without the thought that it might not simply be laziness on his part. He might have given it some intellectual consideration, and that it is connected to the artist Herrera. Though I still don't have a problem with artworks which don't have a fancy title.

If that's what you took from what I wrote, that's what you took. Multiple meanings of text and all that. Rather I suspect like McGregor calling his piece 'Untitled 2023' and not anything else. Seems fine as a title to me, all other things considered. “I began a lifelong process of purification, a process of taking away what isn’t essential” Herrera.

Well that's nice. Who knows, the choreography & the designs might even be enjoyable / thought provoking / forgettable / enduring.

But it was controversial at the time (Nijinsky). And Turner Turner had his critics. And no-one has even seen the new dance work yet, but so much humphing because McGregor has referenced the artist in its title.

Well Rite of Spring is a good one to quote. So why not? Of course radical doesn't automatically mean bad either. We have to kiss a lot of frogs etc. Except the title is a reference to what inspired the work? Perhaps McGregor isn't as lazy as some seem to think? Perhaps he's playing with the audience? Who knows. It might be interesting / enjoyable / illuminating and the rest, it might broaden a few horizons about dance. Going on pointe was revolutionary once. Martha Graham anyone?

Indeed. Perhaps it is art. Or should we never move on? The composer. It's possibly a good idea to put a little work in to fully appreciate the new work? The Rite of Spring. Oh dear. That wasn't appreciated at the time. A near riot. It didn't have tutus and Minkus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rite_of_Spring

It has a title. It's called Untitled 2023. I suppose he could have called it The Hay Wain or The Fighting Temeraire or The Rape of Lucretia or whatever, but maybe he thinks it's simply an abstract dance work to which you give your own meaning, or just enjoy (or not) in the moment. Maybe I go to too many art exhibtions. I don't see the problem. The Royal Ballet presents the world premiere of Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor's new ballet Untitled, 2023, inspired by the untitled art works of the late Cuban-American artist Carmen Herrera, who has designed the set. This electrifying ballet is a collaboration with Herrera and Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Burberry – whose Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lee provides costume design – and lighting designer Lucy Carter.

Enjoy. Nice music, pretty(ish) costume, lighting...

Which is also valid. It's just the audience is free to give the piece some meaning, or not. It may just be enjoyable dancing. Or not. It depends.

I like her work. I enjoy its pared back nature, her use of colour, space, shape. It does evoke some meaning, some feelings in me. I also appreciate Mark Rothko, some of whose works were titled 'Untitled'.

Ah but we do don't we? We give it our own meaning. And no-one can stop us. There is no ballet police. Even if that meaning is a mood evoked, an appreciation of the art of movement, beautiful choreography, a desire for the interval so we can get a drink... oooh... so much.

There may be some nice music, pretty costumes and lighting, says she soothingly.🙂

Though Dances at a Gathering you have to find your own meaning in the work? As do the dancers. Herrera's work is explained a little in the link above. It has to be put in its context in time really.

Though if your work is not actually 'about' anything concrete, but about marks on the canvas, an exploration of space, colour and the rest, not a depiction of anything, not a portrait, a still life, a landscape, evocation of mood, etc, why call it anything? Same with dance. https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/carmen-herrera

Though that could have been interpreted as a commentary on the year. I quite like that here we are discussing the fact he's given an enigmatic title. It could be an enigmatic work, and the title very apt. Many artists don't bother with titles any longer, 'Untitled' and sometimes a number is quite common at exhibitions. Saves a lot of bother really. 🙂

Though it does actually have one. Untitled 2023. It's honest at least.

If indeed Joe Sissons and Marco Masciari are among those having new work created on them by a major choreographer, that's lovely for them. It may be lovely for the audience too? McGregor is certainly a major choreographer right now, who knows if his legacy will linger? Marco Masciari of course also won the 'contemporary' award when he won his Prx de Lausanne prize. Not all works without a story and left up to us to make our own 'meaning' by major 21st century choreographers are difficult to appreciate. We may all be pleasantly surprised. 😉 (Embedded link from the 'official' ROH YT channel)