A visit to Middlesex -Narrating the Somatic: gathering voices, sharing practices symposium

Last Saturday (24/2/18) I attended the Narrating the Somatic: gathering voices, sharing practices symposium held at the Grove building Hendon campus.  

I realised this wasn't directly related to the Mapp course but that as I am having several issues trying to make up my mind just what I want to research I thought this day of being immersed in dance  and lecturer to by experts in their various fields would open up more questions and new perspectives .  I am happy to report mission accomplished.  To my knowledge there wasn't any other Mapp students on the day of dance , but instead my cohort were doing or had done their PHDs and were gathering further  inspiration or giving it to others. This was an action packed day, with so much to see and hear. Below is some of my highlights and experiences that resonated with my own work.

The first lecturer I watched – Rosemary Lee shared her methodology for working with mass groups of people some of whom had dance experience others who did not. She explained how she used different metaphors for different sets of people to achieve the desired movement. Her language varied from natural descriptions of flowers and birds through to modern technology applications.  This range highlighted by the age and experience of   the pupils she was attempted to give movement to.  Mass movement pieces have been in my experience especially when dealing with non-dancers on the performing arts courses I have taught on.  An understanding of spatial awareness and of interaction is gained by the pupils in this situation and this was shown to great advantage in the film clip of the middle section of the dance Rosemary had devised. Shapes and pathways being travelled at speed, with moves in unison; Exchanging hugs and greetings with a synchronised musicality and everyday movements.

The next lecturer (Dr Eline Kieft) discussed her study of Ritual and the ways in which the culture of the Kalahari San people of Namibia she studied used this as part of bonding. Dance movements she explained being staged for purpose of social interaction and to ward off evil and set guidelines of behaviour. Chikukwango Cuxima-Zwa , street artist, who specialised in wearing the makeup of African masks on his face and body and then through interaction in various street settings collaborated with a photographer to capture his work.  This mildly spoken man contextualised his meanings by explaining his background and upbringing.

A very animated young woman discussed her beliefs in dance styles from her mainstream trading at vocational dance school and shared her journey to a more community and contemporary based way of working. We were then treated to the sharing of Adelosa’s film about borders. Using description from her computer voice she combined movement phrases to highlight point and visual explain her view points with her body. She also had a novel way of sharing statics: using a small wall camera she shone the results on parts of her face and body.

A large part of the afternoon session was given over to the book launch of “Narratives in Black British Dance" a publication that a whole community of 16 people worked on for five years. The highlight of the day came when Jackie Guy shared his recently found 18mm film from 1969 of him dancing as a young contemporary artist.

Overall there were many interesting and thought provoking moments. Many ideas are now starting to form for me, as I endeavour to find the motivation to research my methodology for module 2. Please comment and tell me how you have found yours.