History - Individual Works (1988)
January 29 - 30, 1988 - University of Utah Modern Dance Department Theatre 208, Salt Lake City, Utah

History | History Text | History Posters | 1988 | Individual Works
Photographic Memory (1988)

Choreographers: Elizabeth A. Miklavcic & Jimmy H. Miklavcic
Music: (Video Credits)
Costuming: Elizabeth A. Miklavcic
Lighting: Jimmy H. Miklavcic
Set Design: Elizabeth and Jimmy Miklavcic
Set Construction: Jimmy H. Miklavcic
Dancers: Elizabeth A. Miklavcic & Jimmy H. Miklavcic
Location: University of Utah Modern Dance Department Theatre 208
Length: 11:53 minutes
Description
Inspired by the title of a poem by William Butler Yeats, To A Wealthy Man Who Promised A Second Subscription To The Dublin Municipal Gallery If It Were Proved The People Wanted Pictures, from the book Responsibilities: Poems and a Play. Elizabeth pictured as she read this title, dancers in frames instead of paintings. She thought of old photos on bureaus of great, great grandmothers and grandfathers posing in their Sunday best for a family portrait.

Danced by Elizabeth and Jimmy Miklavcic, Photographic Memory is based on the concept of a troubled relationship. In this case, the couple begin together then split apart, and come together again, ending when Jimmy finally disappears, leaving for good. The dance movements combine moments of stillness as if frozen in a picture frame; constrained, resistant, slow motion movement, as well as fast release movement symbolizing moments of freedom for the individuals, especially for the female dancer. Her sadness by the eventual leaving of the man could be interpreted in such a way, that her life ends when the relationship ends.

This work created for Elizabeth Miklavcic's Masters Thesis Concert, was video taped with two VHS cameras and mixed live by Modern Dance Department Chair Jacqueline Clifford, the first time live mixing of a performance was attempted at the Modern Dance Department. Remember that recording video in 1988 was extremely difficult, especially in low light. Photographic Memory remained in the Another Language Performing Arts Company's repertoire for the next ten years, and was a highlight for Elizabeth and Jimmy every time they had an opportunity to perform this beautiful and touching dance.