Contact improvisation, these are two words that make me feel very apprehensive. From previous experience, I am very aware that my body is not naturally tuned into the art improvising and allowing myself to feel comfortable moving in the space takes a lot of time.
Through this week’s reading I carried one quote in particular with me throughout class, “Sensations are what we feel to be happening at the moment, and they can become images when we take notice that we are observing them” (Paxton, 2003, p.182). Closing my eyes whilst moving allows me to clear my mind of anxiety and is a technique I often return to when losing focus. Losing my sight, even briefly, allows me to become present in the space and focus on the internal rather than the external. It is during these moments I become aware of my conscious and the sensations being carried through my body. Allowing myself to be moved only by these sensations and not by habitual movement is a technique I am hoping to develop through each session.
As we began different exercises, it was clear to me that when in contact with another body the exercises are performed with ease when done slowly. Heitkamp says “One of the most important elements of contact improvisation is touch, both by touching and being touched, in the course of which a wide variety of information I exchanged through the skin.” (Heitkamp, 2003, p.256). Through observing other bodies I was able to see that the guidance from the leader to the mover creates a deep connection that allows the movement to develop naturally and is much more fluid. Heitkamp also says that, “Communication is key to finding a connection and foundation of trust with a partner.” (Heitkamp, 2003). This is something that became much clearer after this week’s session. With each of my partners there was communication and empathy through each exercise. Knowing that we were both having the same apprehensions allowed us to build a foundation of trust and enabled each exercise to be completed with ease. Working in close proximity with my peers has allowed me to feel much more relaxed about the upcoming weeks and I hope to only build on the confidence I have gained through this session.
Heitkamp, D. (2003). Moving from the Skin: An Exploratorium. Contact Quarterly/ Contact Improvisation Sourcebook II, Vol. 28:2. Pp. 256 – 264.
Paxton, S. Drafting Interior Technique. In Stark-Smith, N. A Subjective History of Contact Improvisation. In Albright, A. C., & Gere, D. (2003). Taken by surprise: A dance improvisation reader. Middletown, Conn: Wesleyan University Press. Pp. 175 – 184.
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