Tonight at New York's City Center, I saw an interesting collaboration between a rhythmic gymnast-turned ballerina-turned contemporary ballet dancer (Sylvie Guillem) and a brilliant modern dancer and choreographer (Russell Maliphant). Guillam's lines were impeccable, however I must say that her flexibility and extensions were not anything completely "out of this world" as most audiences have acclaimed. In fact, in the world of rhythmic gymnastics, they were quite standard. Her tall, extremely thin, and ethereal frame resembled that of a supermodel's rather than that of a dancer's. Even while I was watching, there were so many photogenic moments where I'm sure if Mario Testino or Steven Meisel were in the audience, they would be drooling over the lighting and the positions in which she held her limbs. It would really make for a gorgeous fashion editorial.
The duet PUSH reminded me of the choreography that I had done with Jeremiah--the lifts especially. Guillem and Maliphant created such a contrast between lightness and weight, which would be expected of a collaboration between a grounded modern dancer and a classically trained ballerina. There were some wonderful dynamic moments in the choreography that I really enjoyed even if I left feeling a tad unsatisfied. It was a beautiful piece and I could imagine myself dancing it (or something like it) one day.
Whatever though, Sylvie Guillem is a true artiste and such a diva. Even the New York Times agrees.
