Place or space?....thoughts from residency...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Philosopher Suzanne Langer said how the most discoveries are suddenly seen things that were always there. Music is significant form and its significance is that of a symbol, a highly articulated, sensuous object which by virtue of its dynamic structure can express the forms of vital experience which language is peculiarly unit to convey. Feeling, life, motion and emotion constitute its import.

It is very distinctive how we actually can create in a space which is not so motivated, empty, or has some annoying facilities. Before I went to Ljubljana, I did my practice in my so called gym in Baku, and that was the space I was above mentioned. The new place or space gave me everything I did not have there; light, spaciousness, wooden floor, airiness, some wall supports,... yet where is the motivation, will-power?

In that space  easily work on Laban's exploration of dynamo sphere and 6(8)  fundamental directions in space: sagital (forward-backward), vertical (left-right) and vertical (up-down). Laban introduces when he explored the laws of harmony within kinetic energy. Later he called it EFFORT and above mentioned 8 activities became known as 8 basic effort actions. 

When we move into these directions a kind of secondary tendency appears in the body, namely dynamic quality which is not always clearly definable by the spectator but it is very clear to the mover.

A feeling of lightness, with the reaching upward  to the point where the arm or the body prepares to relax and to fall back toward the ground. Lightness is correlative with a tendency upward.

A strong, firm movement always has its source a vital connection with the stance. We can easily feel that every strong movement is correlated to a foothold downwards.

Movement across the body brings about a spatial  restriction for the moving limb which makes for confined use a space. A straight, direct  movement is correlative with one leading to the lateral direction, opposite to the moving part of the body.

Movement of the limb on its own side brings about a spatial freedom which makes a flexible use of space. Flexibility is correlative with an opening outwards.

A quick, sudden movement is connected with a certain contraction. The natural direction of contraction is the whole body tends to be backwards as seen. Quick, sudden tensions are correlative with the movements into a backward direction.

A slow movement seems to release into the opposite direction - into the are of front. Slowness and sustainment are correlative with reaching into a forward direction. 

these are basis for certain correlation of dynamic nuances with spatial direction and this reciprocal relationship rules harmonius movement in the kinesphere. (Choreutics, edited by Lisa Ullman)

Today I was playing with Laban's taxonomy of effort/sense of mobile state(sustained time and bound flow) and dream state(sustained time and free flow) all spiced with gliding action drive(sustained time, light weight and direct space) and  swing phrasing in repetition (such as stirring, rowing action) 

Yet, before that I just started the movement with a really simple yoga movements, working on breath and stamina. 

I just realized, and this is what I do lately, when things becomes frustrated, if they do not go, the switch to another theme, to another movement, follow the eMOTION, what body tells you, what you should do, or not? However,  do not stop trying, inquiring, (re)searching. It can be really frustrated, but this is also life. Use frustration for your creation.

Shift pelvis, coordinate arms, use core, breath support, find feet stability and time for yin movements in your hips.

finish the day with reflection, book, aspiration...