Anarchic Dance was published by Routledge in January 2006 and is edited by Liz Aggiss and Billy Cowie with Ian Bramley.
Aggiss and Cowie have assembled a broad range of writers to contribute to this publication. Each of these writers use their specialist knowledge to create a wider understanding, interpretation and context of the processes, practices and performances of Aggiss, Cowie and Divas. This book offers the reader the opportunity to match words with action using the enclosed DVD of extracts from Aggiss and Cowie’s work and is also illustrated with an extensive series of black and white and colour photographs of their films and performances.
As much as Aggiss and Cowie’s practice is hybrid, maverick and indefinable,
the various theories presented are equally challenging, lively and fresh. Each
essay analyses specific performances, discussing the subject matter and its
execution using French feminist philosophy, post structuralist discourse, historical
analysis of Expressionist and Grotesque dance, film theory, creative prose
and conversation. It is both readable from cover to cover and eminently dippable.
The book’s insights provide a comprehensive investigation into Cowie
and Aggiss’ collaborative partnership and demonstrate a range of exciting
approaches through which dance performance can be engaged critically.
Contents
Foreword by Donald Hutera
1. Introduction, Navigating the Known by Liz Aggiss
and Billy Cowie
2. The Aesthetics of Smash and Grab by Carol Brown
3. Writing Dance by Deborah Levy
4. Liz Aggiss and the Authentick Grotesque Expressionism by
Marion Kant
5. Choreographic Vocabulary One: Visual Metaphor by Billy Cowie
6. Outsider Performance: A Raw Vision by Liz Aggiss
7. Deconstruction in Die Orchidee – mischievous play between language
and meanings by Valerie Briginshaw
8. Hilde Holger: Spirit and Maracas by Claudia Kappenberg and
Liz Aggiss
9. Choreographic Vocabulary Two: Time and Rhythm by Billy Cowie
10. The Impossibility in the Mind of the Critic by Ian Bramley
11. Deconstructing Heidi by Sondra Fraleigh
12. Choreographic Vocabulary Three: Space by Billy Cowie
13. Screen Divas: A Filmic Expression of the Grotesque Aesthetic by
Sherril Dodds
14. Reconstruction: A Rough Guide to the Future by
Liz Aggiss
15 Anarchic Dance by Billy Cowie
Afterword by Liz Aggiss and Billy Cowie
review from Total Theatre Spring 2006
review from Ballettanz April 2006
review from Londondance.com 2006
available from