Kristina just asked me if I had a definition for dance, which I do and use in my work all the time. It is the first part of every workshop I do. And then there are other words that I feel we will be using/defining in our work. This is what I wrote to Kristina:
Actually, I do! I define dance as: movement aware of itself practiced with intent. I define choreography as movement aware of itself designed for affect.
I use the word "aware" as in the zen/meditation/spirituality sense - some colleagues argue my use of the word aware, suggesting that it means self-conscious.
I usually do an exercise with non-dancers where I use that definition and then I say - "now, just take one arm up in the air and down again." (they do) and I say "We all just moved." Now. Take a few deep breaths, be aware of all the movement in your body. Your heart beats, your organs are working, your blood is flowing. ALl that movement is going on without you "doing" anything. If it wasn't moving, you wouldn't be alive. Now we are going to take our arm up and down again, but this time, be aware of what you are doing, and make some choices. Fast? slow? Palm facing towards you, or away? Are you going directly overhead? SLightly out to the side? Breathe again, and when you are ready be aware and bring your arm overhead and down." They do. and i say "We all just danced. In my book, we all just danced."
Other words to define:
Cleave - this comes from Lisa saying that researchers take things apart, and artists put things together to create something. And I was reading a book by Alan Watts and he talked about the word cleave. Which means to break apart, and to hold together.
Words that need defining:
Teaching Artist (probably Eric Booth's definition is the one most used in the field)
Protocols (as in ways to talk about work)
Commission:
Teaspoon: this is a concept from a friend of mine, Nicole Livieratos. Little tiny phrases, ideas, etc. Just a teaspoon of an idea.
Grace: A friend of mine, Anne Bluethenthal, was talking about "moments of grace" in teaching
Catastrophe: I thought catastrophe was a nice opposite of those moments of grace.
Document: (defined on website)
Docudance (working definition on website)
Transformational learning
