Bodytraffic Dance Company is a world-class contemporary dance company, recently premiered in my city. On almost exclusive occasions, this time I am talking about LA international dance and choreographic superstars, representing the side of the Los Angeles dance scene in one of the most famous film cities in the world. Most big dance productions have one performance composed with 3 short choreographic pieces by 3 different choreographers, for one night. So it was this time, the production is clearly thriving to its gracious, humble and aspiring performances. The most dominant Bodytraffic’s piece “Dust“ makes an impression as a piece that „takes a dark look at the power’s that steers up in today’s society. It is a six dancers choreography that is enhanced by the rich soundtrack composed by Shechter himself.“ The piece was choreographed and powered by originally Israeli but actually, now British Hofesh Shechter and is really truly raw and atmospheric as taps back into a dark Jewish people past and prosecutions from the Second World War. All 3 choreographies are actually 3 different dance acts that are emotionally charged and technically virtuous. It is very apparent that the company is aiming to fill two very difficult goals to inspire and entertain audiences via their dance in a film-dominant art empowered LA. Berkett once said for the company “I think we’re really trying to brand ourselves with diverse repertory so that we are distinctive. We’re trying to choose unique choreographers to give our company a distinct flavor and style, which is based in contemporary dance.”
Depending on the choreographers, choosing the right choreographers in one production is one of the most important goals in contemporary dance. While dance can be seen virtually, the physicality and sensuality of the movement cry out to be seen live. The award-winning Los Angeles-based company Bodytraffic is successfully putting the City of Angels on the map with a production of world-class contemporary dance. In all 3 choreographies dancers are beautiful, sensible, and persuasive and this is a city also known for its entertainment scene. As the writer and dance reviewer Debra Levine said, the company is “handsome and effervescent,” and has excitingly brought “high-caliber dance” to L.A. Achieving perfection at any cost in the contemporary dance examines the relationship between dance, ballet, and individual self awareness in the all physicality on stage. While browsing on the Internet I have found numerous publications examining body image in “ballgame” athletes. In Bodytraffic there are indeed athletes, which is very enjoyable to see, however, there is limited research on how dance, specifically ballet, affects the dancer’s self-body image. There are different perceptions when it comes to a self-body image. With Bodytraffic dancers, I do not notice self-admiration. Sometimes those aspects can be seen and can spoil the stage set impression, and story too that is behind. It seems like the dancers are having plenty of hard work and identify themselves with more general sociocultural as well as athletic ideals. There are scientific researches that tell a lot about the identification processes in an effort to reform the institution of dance and to prevent extraordinary pressure on modern dancers to achieve perfection at any cost. Here, perfection is full.
