Evan's Improvisational Methods: Physicalizing

 

I

 Warm Up 

II

 Evan's Concept for Today

Physicalizing: 

Putting into Movement an idea, a memory, a feeling, that has been previously stored on a cognitive realm.

Question 1

After reading Evan's ideas about physicalizing, briefly describe in writing an idea, a memory, a feeling that you may identify as your theme for today's work.  

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  III

 

 

Improvisation Exercise (10 min)

Today we are addressing  physicalizing, which is about recreating an idea, a memory, a feeling, (that has been  previously stored on a cognitive realm) through movement.

So, now let us again delve fully into body movement and creative dance improvisation using the theme you described in question 4.

Follow the following order:

Explore: Movement exploration to begin to be conscious of an idea, or a memory. Begin to feel feelings. Choose an idea, memory of feeling you want to use as your theme or motif (2 min)

Identify: Identify those feelings when they are felt (2 min)

Express: Express these feelings in movement metaphors (2 min)

Connect: Find the connection between your movement metaphors
               and the theme you chose (2 min)

Choose 8 moves and create your dance or movement phrase.

 Question 2

Write a brief reflection of your creative process.

Record and post your movement phrase for today.

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IV

Solo Dance Improvisation

Example of what physicalizing could look and feel like.

Raw Movement Project | Abby Lopac 

As artists, we all have something that drives our artistic flavor, but rarely do we get the opportunity to embrace and celebrate that individuality. RAW movement is a project that aims to shed light on the difficulties and challenges we face as well as the moments that bring joy and how dance is an outlet to heal, lift, and encourage us as we walk through this thing we call life. We invite dancers of all backgrounds to open up and be vulnerable, to be RAW with us as we try to create a place where we can celebrate dance! We want to see YOU, in all your RAW beauty!

 

Question 3

Write a brief response to this video. 

 

Question 4

 

How does it relate to your own experience as a dancer physicalizing an idea, a memory, or a feeling, that has been  previously stored on a cognitive realm?

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 VII) Inspirational Video

 Solo Improvisation

  

Lewis Cooke,  a London Contemporary Dance School 3rd year student doing some improvisation in the studio in 2015. Filming and editing Reece Calver. 

Question 5

Notice that in this video we see a male dancer. How does watching this video affect your appreciation for dance improvisation as a male or a female dance student?

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Students' Work (from previous semester)

 Lauren Trentacoste

Students' Work (this semester)

Alejandra Hernandez

3/26

 

 

1. Today's work is inspired by the concept of resilience, which stems from conquering hurdles and experiencing inner power.

2. My creative approach included experimenting with different motions and gestures that represented my topic, which allowed me to dive further into its emotional and physical aspects.

3. The video captivates viewers with its fluidity and direct expressiveness, highlighting the dancer's ability to portray emotion via intense movement.
As a dancer, physicalizing an idea or memory is converting abstract notions into concrete movements, linking the cognitive and physical domains via embodiment and expression.

4. This film demonstrates the universality of dance improvisation, overcoming gender limits and stressing the strength of individual creativity regardless of gender.

 

Delaney Brown

1. My theme for todays work is letting out all the stress I am holding onto

2. I will begin exploring through dance the emotions I am holding on to (stress, worry, anxiety, etc.). I begin to feel each emotion and how it makes me feel. I express these emotions through dance and movement. As I am doing this I am letting go each emotion and letting it out. 

3. In response to this video I think it is really important to be vulnerable and raw in your emotions. This will help let your dance be more expressive and unique. 

4. I think it relates to me as a dancer because when I dance, I dance to what I am feeling. I just let my body move in the way it wants to move without thought. 

5. Dance is beautiful, and there is no right or wrong to how one can dance. Dancing is expressing words, emotions, and stories and it can be done is anyway you want. 

 

Savannah Park

1. After reading Evan's ideas about physicalizing, briefly describe in writing an idea, a memory, a feeling that you may identify as your theme for today's work.  

A feeling I would be emboding for today's work is stress because I've been very stress recently.

2. Write a brief reflection of your creative process.

I thought about the things that have brought me stress in my life and tried my best to create that movement in a way that I felt like represented it the best.

3.Write a brief response to this video.

This video looks very freeing. I feel like this is a good outlet to let out ur emotions and cope with what might be going on in your life.

4. How does it relate to your own experience as a dancer physicalizing an idea, a memory, or a feeling, that has been  previously stored on a cognitive realm?

It relates to my own expierences because it has allowed me to cope with my feelings of anxiety and stress.

5. Notice that in this video we see a male dancer. How does watching this video affect your appreciation for dance improvisation as a male or a female dance student?

As a female dance student I really apreciate how he really gives it his all.

 

 

Nadia Chan

After reading Evan's ideas about physicalizing, briefly describe in writing an idea, a memory, a feeling that you may identify as your theme for today's work.   

Physically running away from my problems by flying across the world :p 

Improvisation Exercise (10 min)

Today we are addressing  physicalizing, which is about recreating an idea, a memory, a feeling, (that has been  previously stored on a cognitive realm) through movement.

So, now let us again delve fully into body movement and creative dance improvisation using the theme you described in question 4.

Follow the following order: 

Explore: Movement exploration to begin to be conscious of an idea, or a memory. Begin to feel feelings. Choose an idea, memory of feeling you want to use as your theme or motif (2 min)

Identify: Identify those feelings when they are felt (2 min)

Express: Express these feelings in movement metaphors (2 min)

Connect: Find the connection between your movement metaphors 

               and the theme you chose (2 min)

Choose 8 moves and create your dance or movement phrase. 

Write a brief reflection of your creative process.

I found myself able to mentally detach and create movements that felt freeing to me, which is exactly how I feel leaving my home country, a temporary sense of freedom and independence. I improvised in silence as I feel that helps me clear my mind the quickest. It helped that i was alone so I did not feel any judgement ahahhahaahaa

Record and post your movement phrase for today. (Attached)

https://youtu.be/Eb3oyKnKcT8 Write a brief response to this video. 

How does it relate to your own experience as a dancer physicalizing an idea, a memory, or a feeling, that has been  previously stored on a cognitive realm? 

I felt like I could connect with the dancer deeply as the initiation of out movements are slightly similar. She is allowing different parts / sections of her body to lead her movements in a sort of 'cause and effect' type of manner. And as the title suggests, her movements are very raw and not really technical, as if she is focusing on exploring her body and the movements it can create. 

https://youtu.be/ym9oI7XRfh8 Notice that in this video we see a male dancer. How does watching this video affect your appreciation for dance improvisation as a male or a female dance student?

Raw movements, more emotional to watch as males are often brought up to suppress their emotions, so it’s nice to see that he can use dance as a way to express himself, to release his oppression (if any, im assuming). Otherwise, regardless of gender, this video does not really affect my appreciation for dance improvisation. I was taught and I have experienced how dance can be an outlet for many, and have guy friends who dance and are as expressive as others. I enjoy watching them though, and as guys and girls’ bodies can move slightly differently, it is cool to see the tiny differences between them. :)

 Nadia's Physicalizing Improv for 26:3:24 .mov (10.974 MB) 

 

Daniel Bron

In today’s class, we explored “Evan’s Improvisational Methods: Physicalizing,” delving into techniques that emphasize the physical embodiment of improvisational dance. During the warm-up, I fully engaged, participating actively and immersing myself in the preparatory exercises that focused on grounding our movements in physical sensations and awareness.

However, due to a muscle strain, I had to make the difficult decision to sit out during the actual dance improvisation segment of the class. This situation, while unfortunate, provided me with a unique perspective. As an observer, I had the opportunity to see my classmates engage with the improvisational methods, which allowed me to appreciate the nuances of their movements and the ways in which they interpreted the physicalizing concepts of the class.

“Evan’s Improvisational Methods: Physicalizing” is designed to deepen the dancer’s connection to their bodily instincts and to encourage a more intuitive and spontaneous approach to movement. The exercises we began with in the warm-up were aimed at enhancing our awareness of muscle engagement, weight distribution, and the flow of energy through our bodies, setting a solid foundation for the improvisation to follow.

Observing from the sidelines, I could see the transformation in my peers as they applied these principles. Their movements became more fluid and grounded, displaying a heightened sense of connection between their physical forms and the expressive possibilities of their bodies. This observation was both enlightening and inspiring, providing me with insights into the application of physicalizing techniques in dance improvisation that I can apply in future sessions once I’ve recovered.

In reflection, today’s class underscored the value of physicalizing in improvisational dance as a means to foster a more embodied and instinctual approach to movement. It also highlighted the importance of listening to one’s body and respecting its limits. My experience of participating in the warm-up and then observing the main activity enriched my understanding of the physicalizing process and its impact on dance improvisation, offering a comprehensive view of its potential to enhance dance practice.