How is oppression spread and received on the body?
The pre research was necessary to the process and the understanding of the topic. I focused on the narrative of endurance and transformation. What is endurance? What is its meaning in dance and physicality?
Endurance was essential for maintaining the quality of movement, expression, and precision throughout the improvisation. Endurance, pain, and social-political systems are interconnected in complex ways.
The words: oppression, togetherness, resistance, endurance, empowerment, exchange, listen, discussion, freedom, exhaustion, and transformation were used in content, form and meaning. We worked with their definitions and their forms in space and in the body. The embodiment of the words and how tell a story based on them. What it means to each of us, and improvisation was the center of the practice/ the ateliers. Story telling was a key concept/ score of the improvisation. The body can tell a story but the understanding of the story by the viewer is very subjective.
The ateliers were very intimate. We created a safe space to bodily talk about these issues without judgement or fear.
Research / work funded by DIS-TANZ-SOLO 5
WILLIE STARK 