New Television Workshop Collection

New Television Workshop Collection Program MaterialsArtist's Showcase



9 Variations on a Dance Theme

Alternative Title:
Nine Variations
Hilary Harris on Bettie DeJong

Copyright Date:
1967

Copyright Holder:
Hilary Harris Films

Artist:
Harris, Hilary

Extent:
1 videoreel of 1 (ca. 60 min.) : sd., col. and b&w ; 2 in.
1 videocassette of 1 (Betacam SP) (ca. 60 min.) : sd., col. and b&w ; 1/2 in.
1 videocassette of 1 (VHS) (ca. 60 min.) : sd., col. and b&w ; 1/2 in.
1 folder

Background:
This film work was acquired by WGBH for inclusion in the series "Artists on Artists," which was broadcast as part of "Artist's Showcase." It may also have been broadcast individually. While the movement phrase performed by Bettie de Jong (of the Paul Taylor Company) took 50 seconds to execute, the work was filmed over the period of a year, in 25 separate sessions.

Scope:
Includes a 2" master, Betacam SP preservation master, and VHS screening tape. "9 Variations on a Dance Theme" is accompanied on these tapes by Ken Kobland's "Vestibules." One folder contains a photocopy of an article explaining the structure of the piece in some detail.

A female dancer repeats a short dance theme nine times to a soundtrack of piano and flute. As she performs the theme, the dancer is shot from different angles to yield nine variations. The first variations are composed of longer shots that capture the body and movements of the dancer in full. These variations are accompanied by a soundtrack of slow-tempo piano. The later variations are composed of many shorter shots that capture the components of the dancer's body and movements. These variations are accompanied by an increasingly up-tempo soundtrack of piano and flute. Little credit information is provided.

Music composed and performed by Nail Robinson, with Bonnie Lichter playing flute.



Producer:
Harris, Hilary

Performer:
de Jong, Bettie

Subjects:
Modern dance


Genre:
Dance

See Also:
Vestibules




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