Practitioner Study

Sutra is a piece depicting the practices of Buddhism, incorporating Cherkaoui’s personal experiences within the Shaolin Temple on his path to enlightenment. He sought to reestablish himself after constantly creatively working with artists such as Akram Khan, thus needing some time to recover and find his source of creativity once more. There, he found rehabilitation and brought a new spectacle for audiences, as “the spectacle of athleticism explores the philosophy and faith behind the Shaolin tradition, and its relationship with Kung Fu within a contemporary context.” (Sadler’s Wells, 2023)

                          

(Sadlers Wells, 2008)

As the piece contains themes of solace, rehabilitation and meditation practices, I found revisiting this piece to be a significant influence for my choreographic solo, as I have outlined similar themes. So far from my observations, I have found that there is beauty within the simplistic movements and gestures that help to embody growth and self development. As an example, Cherkaoui teaches the Shaolin Monks gestures, where they mirror his gestures on top of their boxes. Whilst the set in this is used to enhance the idea of growth, I could use a simplistic moment within the music of my piece, perhaps silence, to communicate one’s inner calmness and embracing their flaws and pain to demonstrate acceptance. In contrast, however, I like the dynamic and accented motifs within the Kung Fu movements, showing a sporadic yet calming tone to the practice of the monks. I feel I could apply an element of this within my anger section, to help heighten the chaos within one’s mind during the stages of grief.

(Sadlers Wells, 2008)

The piece incorporates the use of wooden boxes, which works very effectively to create images such as, “a wall, a temple, a graveyard.” (Eastman, 2023) Additionally, the dancers, including Cherkaoui, explore the space of the box and the limitations they may face. From rewatching the piece, I have decided to incorporate an element of this, in which I aim to take the wooden box idea and create movement that demonstrates my confinements within a small scale. I’ve decided to use this to support my intentions of being knocked down within your mind within the depression stage, as the mind spirals out of control. I think this will be effective in communicating one’s struggle after depression, and how it feels you are confined to yourself; trapped and anxious. I think this will be a challenge but will enable me to push my choreographic skills into a new light, exploring smaller scale movements that communicate my intentions for my audience furthermore. I think this will be beneficial in showing transformation and acceptance, as the movement can then become more expansive, free flowing and fluid, instead of minimising and restrictive.

(Sadlers Wells, 2008)

Bibliography

Eastman (2023) Project / Sutra. Available at https://www.east-man.be/en/14/18/Sutra [Accessed 5th October 2023] 


Sadlers Wells (2008) Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Antony Gormley with monks from the Shaolin Temple - Sutra. Photograph. Available at Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Antony Gormley with monks from the Shaolin Temple - Sutra - On tour - Sadler's Wells (sadlerswells.com) [Accessed 17th October 2023]

Sadlers Wells (2023) Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Antony Gormley with monks from the Shaolin Temple - Sutra. Available at https://www.sadlerswells.com/on-tour/current-productions/sidi-larbi-cherkaoui-antony-gormley-sutra/ [Accessed 17th October 2023]

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