Chosen Practitioner

 Rudolf Laban – a movement theorist and choreographer - is the practitioner I have chosen to invest my choreography inspiration from this year. I have dedicated my research to Laban, as I was fixated to his beliefs and exploration of the body, I knew that this was something I wanted to experiment with and use within my own work. 

 

The novel ‘Mastering Movement the Life and Work of Rudolf Laban’ by John Hodgson clearly states that Rudolf “examined where, how and when the body changed position and considered the effects that moving had on an individual” (Hodgson. J, Pg.22), this concept in highly interesting to me and a dancer stepping into the position of a choreographer as from past experiences I have noticed how un-natural movement can lose the flow/rhythm of the movement, creating and stagnant and static phrase (which can also create an uncomfortable and unsettling feeling on the audience). In addition, I suspect that having this concept with me whilst creating my piece will help me easily create flowing movement as well as help the movement be natural and organic rather than forged and sticky. 

 

According to ‘The Black Box’ online webpage, Laban created eight basic efforts pf movements which consists of:

-       Pressing

-       Wringing 

-       Slashing

-       Punching

-       Flickering

-       Dabbing

-       Gliding

- Floating 

Figure 1 - (Dale West, Pinterest,, 2020)


These eight concepts sparked my interest especially when it comes to motifs. It's exciting to see how I can change the same movement depending on which of the eight concepts I choice and experiment to see how much of an affect a different dynamic can have on the overall meaning of the motif. For example, the concept ‘slashing’ I would use straight dynamic arms which will create an overwhelming and powerful atmosphere where as a motif that is featured around the effort 'floating' will contradict 'slashing' with peaceful and gentle environment. These eight efforts will also help my guide my thoughts and choreography if I ever get a mental blockage and struggling to create content. 

In addition, Laban focuses on four factors to create the bedrock of his movement, these factors include weight, space, time and flow. Similarl,  to his eight concept, I think this will be practical when creating my choreography and it will allow me to create different concepts expanding my productivity and creative journey. 

In conclusion, I am excited to start using Rudolf's knowledge and techniques throughout out my creative process and for his exploration/ knowledge to assist me if I ever reach a mental blockage or unproductively. 

                                                                                                      Figure 2 (Wikimedia Commons, 2020)


References:     

Rankin. C, 2021, Language of Movement: Laban's Key Concepts, [Online], available at https://www.crankinblackbox.com/laban.html, accessed on 17th October 2021. 

Hodgson. J,. (2007), Mastering Movement the Life and Work of Rudolf Laban, [Book], Page 22, accessed on 17th October 2021

Skene. S,. (2017), Laban Movement Analysis Made Simple, [Online] ,(0:54), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUL_NM8aPik&t=15s , accessed on 17th October 2021

 

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