Putting dance into words is difficult but possible, and is sometimes beautifully done. It is critical for a successful career in any aspect of dance. Through this blog, we investigate dance writing in the form of writing by dancers, literature (fiction and poetry) that contains dance references, scenarios for choreography, dance journalism including criticism, and dance and notation.
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Friday, July 23, 2010
Words and movement
How can words serve movement? Does movement serve words? Where do these modes of expression overlap? How do these means of communication interpenetrate? Should they?
Both movement and words communicate something to the viewer/listener. Movement can convey broad feelings or thoughts with more actual *feeling,* allowing the viewer to sympathize with the feeling more easily. However, words can describe feelings more specifically. One can describe movement and the feelings movement conveys with words, and vice versa, but neither can ever serve the same purpose as the other. In their essence, they overlap in that they both perform the same action, communication, but they do so in very different ways.
Movement and words are ways of communication for the individual. Both work simultaneously to convey a message. There are instances where one is not able to articulate verbally, or the movement of a person is deceiving.
In dance, there are no words coming out of the dancer's mouth, however dancers express through movement. A viewer can pick up intensity, force, weight, speed, use of the space, facial expressions, or look at footwork to understand the mood of the piece.
Martha Graham said: "Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul's weather to all who can read it." I agree, however various interpretation come up. Words can create a description of a dance, but various interpretations may rise if trying to reconstruct It is possible to look only at one or the other, however it is beneficial and easier to be able to have words and movement involved.
So, for reconstruction purposes, is it best to have BOTH words and movement? And does it matter if the words are written or spoken?
Graham's comment is intriguing: "for all who can read it." Do you think this "reading" of movement is a talent (something you are born with), a skill (something you learn), something else?
I like Elo's list in the second paragraph: "intensity, force, weight, speed, use of the space, facial expressions, ... footwork." This is a good checklist for movement description, performance, and interpretation.
Words can't be formed or expressed without movement. Yet movement far precedes our mastery of words.
ReplyDeleteBoth movement and words communicate something to the viewer/listener. Movement can convey broad feelings or thoughts with more actual *feeling,* allowing the viewer to sympathize with the feeling more easily. However, words can describe feelings more specifically. One can describe movement and the feelings movement conveys with words, and vice versa, but neither can ever serve the same purpose as the other. In their essence, they overlap in that they both perform the same action, communication, but they do so in very different ways.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMovement and words are ways of communication for the individual. Both work simultaneously to convey a message. There are instances where one is not able to articulate verbally, or the movement of a person is deceiving.
ReplyDeleteIn dance, there are no words coming out of the dancer's mouth, however dancers express through movement. A viewer can pick up intensity, force, weight, speed, use of the space, facial expressions, or look at footwork to understand the mood of the piece.
Martha Graham said: "Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul's weather to all who can read it." I agree, however various interpretation come up. Words can create a description of a dance, but various interpretations may rise if trying to reconstruct It is possible to look only at one or the other, however it is beneficial and easier to be able to have words and movement involved.
So, for reconstruction purposes, is it best to have BOTH words and movement? And does it matter if the words are written or spoken?
ReplyDeleteGraham's comment is intriguing: "for all who can read it." Do you think this "reading" of movement is a talent (something you are born with), a skill (something you learn), something else?
I like Elo's list in the second paragraph: "intensity, force, weight, speed, use of the space, facial expressions, ... footwork." This is a good checklist for movement description, performance, and interpretation.