Week 2
We were tasked to create 3 bars of 8 that interprets or embodies our own personal style. My personal movement style is influenced by a variety of things and experiences. First, my style is influenced by my dance training. I have been trained in the eurocentric standard of ballet, modern, and jazz. Also, I have trained in hip-hop, West-African movement styles, tap, etc. Second, is my personality. At times my personality can be analytical and it translates in my movement as taking everything literal. I’m very passionate and a giver. And so, I express that in my body by dancing passionately and expansively. Even though I can be analytical I can be spontaneous. So, I take risks in life and in movement. And last but not least, it is political. I like to challenge people’s ideas, perceptions, and stereotypes of the black woman’s body. I am the type of person to do exactly what you think I can't do.
Who has influenced your personal style?
Lorraine Graves- challenged me to be expansive in ballet
Allyne Gartrell- utilized my technique that I have to take more risks in my movement
Lawrence Jackson- challenged me to move expansive in modern
Aliya Janell- influenced my femininity
Kira Harper- utilizing my femininity to create lines and shapes
What techniques are involved in your style?
Ballet
Modern
Heels
Contemporary
West African influences
6 styles
Personal movement style
Choreographic style
Codified technique
Theories of movement
Cultural style
Great periods in art
So after we discussed a personal movement style we tried to put it into four words. Then we had to find the antonyms for them and create the anti phrase.
Liberated vs enslaved
Chance vs planned
Thorough vs superficial
social vs antisocial
Dancing in the complete opposite of the way I was comfortable with was frustrating but I found it helpful. I got stuck mentally and physically because I couldn't flow. It was different from my normal approach. I actually liked what I came up with at the end. I would have never thought to shuffle my feet like that if I was not given this challenge. It taught me not to be afraid of trying new things and it’s okay to be uncomfortable in order to do innovative things. I found myself concerned about the transitions and the flow of everything. Then, everyone put those phrases together and made a group phrase and I felt like for the first time we connected as a class. Honestly, I was kind of longing for that. To build off of that, everyone had to break their individual phrases down to form them into a structure. Using our words as a score was different. It showed me when you have an original phrase or words and then you scramble them, how you can find different and creative meanings in the words that you wouldn’t have originally thought about. I think just remaining open to the process of learning and not judging what I come up with will help me navigate any mental blocks.
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