What is Site Responsive Dance?

1st May 2012

I think site responsive/ site specific dance is...

• Taking dance out of its stereotypical setting.
• Responding to the new environment around you.
• Using the new environment to inspire movement.
• Using scores within the movement.

Artists who use site responsive/ site specific dance...

• Rosemary Lee
• Pina Bauch
• Trisha Brown
• Rosemary Butcher
• Lea Anderson
• Anna Halprin
• Helen Poyner

14.05.12

In SRT I feel that I respond better by just picking out certain words and creating images in my head in order to help me move. This journal article shows some of the words I chose and the images that correspond with them. It isn't complete but I hope to add to it.

Skinner Class

Monday 30th April

This was our first lesson back after Easter and I was looking forward to getting back into moving again.
We learnt about the Bedroom, Lounge, Garden, Street cycle which is something we have not done before.

This idea originated from Anna Halprin and was intended as a daily movement practise. It is a preparation for site specific work which we are being introduced to this term.

What each area meant to me:

• Bedroom- Stillness, small, intimate, close, focused in, selfish, intricate.
• Lounge- Relaxing, reaching edges of personal boundaries, comforting, stretching.
• Garden- Seeing others, middle ground, crouching, confusing.
• Street- Open, exposed, big, seeing wider picture, travelling, standing.

I felt very focused for this task and I could very clearly distinguish which areas were my stronger and weaker ones.

My favourite zone was the lounge. I felt most comfortable here and I enjoyed exploring the boundaries and limits of my own personal space.

I felt least comfortable in the garden because I was unsure of what it was and how to move in this zone. Therefore, I spent the least time here.  

My Body Story Images

Here are some pictures I've used in order to help me explain my own personal Body Story.

Map Dance Performance

Wednesday 28th March 2012

1.   See

Solo

Stillness

Intricate, small detailed hand gestures

2.   Edges

Minimalistic sound scape

Random became organised

Martial arts inspired?

Does the style of costume represent the possible martial arts theme?

Busy space

Intricate movement in unison

3.   Listen

Same idea as no. 1 but as a duet

Movement reflects quality in the music

4.   Strange Journey (2010)

Stomping

Dialogue on track

Lifting

Interchanging between solo, duet, trio and group dance sequences

Dancers speaking

Change in atmosphere

Unison changing patterns

Dramatic

Solemn/ Fear

Circling the space

Symbolism- 2 people

Traditional folk became tribal drums

Freedom

Dancers coming and out of centre in turn

Physically demanding

5.   Wrong Songs

Talking nonsense

Books

Clicking/ Whistling

Began without music but was introduced later

Piano music

Confusing

Gasp and pause

Random

Staring

Percussive

Comical

6.   Here

Same idea as no. 1 and no. 3 but with 4 dancers

Accumulation

All pieces has orchestrated string music

Same motif ideas throughout all three pieces

7.   XX

Change in lighting

Layering music

Adding clothes

 Stereotypes of men and women

Twitches

Shouting

Staccato movements

Imitating men

Foil

Rugby

Variety in styles of music/ sound scape

Abuse?

Fighting

1 dress became 2 dresses

Became more lyrical style of dancing

Heart felt

Representative movements

Speaking through the meaning of movements  

The Finished Duet!

Recorded: 14.03.12

This was recorded once we had finished our duet in order for us to just look back at it to see if we wanted to make any changes and to just keep a record of it. We also wanted to have an idea of how long the duet was.

When we were assessed today, it was obviously a lot different with the pressure and having the audience within the dance space. Emma and I didn't have a chance to practise with this layout beforehand, but the audience were aware of this and were able to move out of the way if necessary.