Finding Meaning

        Christopher Wheeldon’s artistic abilities speak for themselves. The video, Christopher Wheeldon and New York City Ballet, exemplifies the organic way he choreographs. In the video, Wheeldon states, “no fuss, just make a ballet” emphasizing the relaxed nature behind his creative process. Wheeldon then extrapolates on how in his beginnings of choreography at the New York City Ballet, he learned the importance of human connection within the art. Not only the connection between performers, but Wheeldon in relations to his students, specifically Wendy Whelan. Ms. Whelan was a principal dancer in one of Wheeldon’s most popular works, Polyphonia. Wheeldon states that he “I think my choreographic style is in some ways indebted to that relationship that we have.” He goes on to say that because of his bond with Ms. Whelan, that is why Polyphonia suddenly came together. This anecdote I think is one of many that separates Wheeldon from a great deal of other choreographers. Instead of looking to create mechanical dancers, Wheeldon recognizes the value of connection with his students and how that adds to create a significant depth and reward. 

           When it comes to putting together a work, Wheeldon preaches, “until you get bodies in a room, it’s hard to know how the ballet’s going to end up.” In the video, In the Studio: Christopher Wheeldon, Wheeldon is workshopping his ballet Nine. As he goes through the ballet he demonstrates how he gives his performers the steps, and they as living humans shape the choreography in the way their bodies move. This method of discovery and research opposes ideas of rigidity and allows his students to become artists of their own. There is a reciprocal nature between himself and his students that creates an organic environment in his development of his works. This reciprocity, I believe, is what makes his works great. His works are not one sided and it is a push and pull with himself and his dancers to find what makes his steps have significance. 

        My favorite stance that is Christopher Wheeldon has is that he claims he does not know what makes a ballet successful. He says in the video, Christopher Wheeldon and New York City Ballet, “The best abstract work has a sense of place, a sense of time, a sense of relationship... how does it go beyond a series of steps?” Wheeldon’s own dilemmas about what can make a ballet have significant meaning, shows his humanity. Wheeldon is not painting himself as an all-knowing choreographic master, he asserts that he himself does not know for sure what makes a ballet have meaning, all he knows is that sometimes it happens. This makes me feel I can more easily resonate with him and his works because he puts his own human nature at the forefront. He recognizes it is okay to not always know what is best, and this mindset is gold in my eyes.