Lauren Moore- Body Stories

I found it interesting to see an MA piece of dance work because this is something I could always progress to in the future once I have finished my degree. We only saw one half of the piece because it was intended as a duet. It was based on as the title suggests, body stories and emotions recollected from childhood. The movement was initially improvised with the use of layering and repetition.

The creative process and research that Lauren had done seemed very deep and thought provoking. It took her quite a time into her making process to actually come up with the final ideas. She also made a lot of choreography that she did not use in the finalised piece. She discussed how the piece reflects memories from her childhood and the emotions she felt. She explored these different emotions through her movement. She was trying to make the movements feel literal to how she had felt. It seems harder to explain than how Lauren explained it but of course, she has dedicated a lot of her time into studying this.

The style of movement that Lauren performed was very fluid and easy to watch. I feel it will influence me in my own choreography and movement because I would like to dance with the same quality of movement that she had. I aspire to make work in a similar style to this because I feel there is a lot to explore and it is contrasting to what I have done previously. The movements were sometimes intricate and sometimes much more bold. She portrayed the emotion of vulnerability well not only through her movement but her expressions too.

I would have liked to have seen the piece as a whole with both dancers because Lauren said she could feed off her partner. I wonder whether she would have performed differently in that situation?

Outdoor Score

9th May 2012

• I tried to use different body parts to support my body rather than just the obvious ones. For examples, |I used my head, elbows, knees.

• I also concentrated on the shapes my body was making in the space. The angles of my body in relation to the supports I was using.

• I didn't know how much of the score I would retain and I surprised myself. When I paused I instantly noticed I was aware of my breath in my body.

• I was very aware of the others in the space with me and the distance between us, whether in close or far proximity.

• I felt I was very focused during this task and this helped me to notice all the things that I did. I have responded better to this task than others in site responsive dance. I think this may be because I was in a smaller group.

The picture below shows a map of the pathways I took on my journey and the shapes of my body in the space.

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.