Research

 To expand my perspective on my initial stimulus further, I researched into the idea of life after death, looking into different religions/beliefs to see how the vary and change. I wanted to deepen my research on this subject as it will help me broaden my creativity giving me more options and pathways to take my choreography later in my process. Additionally, this will give me a wide range of ideas on ending my choreography… do I want to present reincarnation?... Do I want to present Heaven and Hell?... Do I want to present spiritual beliefs? 

 

I first began to investigate Christianity and their eternal faith in God. Christians emphasize in forgiveness and judgement after death, spending eternity in heaven if they have properly repented their sins to God or Hell if they have lived a sinful life (Museum of Art and Archaeology, N/A) I am inspired by this religion to present the idea of heaven and Hell and how your actions on earth determined where your souls lie. This will give me ideas on the type of characteristics I want my character to have and how much if an impact thus decision will have on my narrative. It is also intriguing to compare the dynamics in which I would dance the movement depending on the decision I make, for example, if I was to portray a character Christians portray and “sinful’ I would make my movement big and adventurous however, to contrast, I would make

my movement delicate and innocent to depict a more heavenly character. 

Figure 1 – Heaven and Hell (NEEDPIX.COM)

 

Buddhists believe in in the cycle of Samsara. ‘Buddhist afterlife do not consider death to be an end in the same way practitioners of many other religions do. Instead, they see death as a recurring step in an ongoing process of death and rebirth.  (Oliveto.  J, 2021) I really like this idea of rebirth as automatically I can come up with choreographic ideas and techniques, I will be able to use within my choreography for example repetition and accumulation. 

 

Finally, I researched into Atheists and their beliefs. Most atheists don’t believe in God or afterlife, they simply see death as a full-stop. Although some believe they will be reunited with a loved one or they enjoy the comforting feeling of peace. (Tetrault . S, 2021) It will be interesting to see how I would use this belief within my choreography without my choreography being predicted by the    audience. Although I think the belief could be a clear finishing to my audience. ( Figure 2 - bhavachakra)

 

After expanding my knowledge on 3 different beliefs on afterlife, it has left me with many options and different pathways in which I can take my choreography. Currently I am not certain on how I am going to finish my choreography however I have a good understanding on where my choreography could lead me, and I am excited to get started. 

 

 

Bibliography: 

Figure 1 - Rosenthal .R, Heaven and Hell, [online], available at https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/heaven-and-hell-new-history-of-the-afterlife-shows-origins-of-the-idea-625613 , accessed on October 14th 2021

Figure 2 - N/A,. Traditional bhavachakra wall mural of Yama holding the wheel of life. Buddha pointing the way out, available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saṃsāra_(Buddhism) , accuses on October 14th 2021

References:

 

Oliveto, J., 2021, Buddhist Afterlife: Reincarnation & Enlightenment Explained, Cake, [online], available at: https://www.joincake.com/blog/buddhist-afterlife/ , accessed on October 14^th, 2021

Tetrault, S, 2020, What Do Atheists Believe About Afterlife, Cake, [online], available at https://www.joincake.com/blog/atheist-afterlife/ , accessed on October 14^th, 2021.

 

N/A, The Christian Afterlife, Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri, [online] available at https://maa.missouri.edu/gallery/christian-afterlife , accessed on 15^th October 2021