Choreography: Use of Space

Choreography: Use of Space Mapping the Route

Air Pathways Describe shapes in space around the body • Leading to definition of body shapes Awareness of the pathway of a gesture • Leads to clarity of form • Allows the audience to prepare for the final shape that the dancer’s body will assume

Floor Pathways • The route along which the dancer travels through the general space of the stage When we DRIVE we may need a map to guide us to our destination • The dancer moves along a designated path from one point on the stage to another

Closed & Open Pathways • Both Air & Floor pathways have a beginning point and an end point • If we start & finish at the same point (the same place) then the pathways is a CLOSED PATHWAY • If we start at one point and finish at a different place from where we began the pathway is a CLOSED PATHWAY • Both of these pathways can utilise, high, medium & low levels

Air Pathways –Flexible Space • Movements can carve the space around us (curves & twists) • Gather space into the body • Arms & legs can move “on circle” • The space being moved through is rounded and indirect, without easily identified directions

Air Pathways –Direct Space • Movements can be spoke like – travelling in straight lines • Cutting actions into & out of the centre of the body • Straight lines & angles are a direct use of space • Space is being cut through in a specific direction

Practical bit!! • Stand up & make AIR pathways around your body • Keep your feet in one spot & using an imaginary paintbrush draw air pathways around yourself • Carve the space then pierce the space Write your name - don’t forget to use high, medium & low levels • as individual letters • As cursive letters (joined up)

Air Pathways - DVD • Ch2 L1 Dwight Rhoden works with dancers from North Carolina Dance Theatre Beginning section of VERGE Dancers describe air pathways in space whilst in silhouette All dancers must be very clear on the size & timing of each pathway The dancers stay in one spot and describe the space around them using their arms & torso

Floor Pathways • To understand floor pathways trace a route from Nottingham to London going via Birmingham • Trace the route using STRAIGHT LINES (Motorways) • Trace the route going via more scenic routes, (B roads) • We can map dances in exactly the same way

X O MAPS - PATHWAYS Straight Diagonal Pathway

X X O O MAPS - PATHWAYS Zig Zag Pathway Straight Diagonal Pathway

MAPS - PATHWAYS X O Curved Pathway

MAPS - PATHWAYS X X O O Curved Pathway Straight Pathway

Design your own Map for the stage • The hand out is an example of different types of pathways • It can be used as a gallery for ideas Air to Floor: Ch2 L1B

From Floor to Air • Look at your pathways and DRAW the pathway in the air • This is your air pathway. • Don’t move in the space, keep at least one foot on the ground • Simply translate the drawn pathways into body movements by drawing the paths in the air(use your arms, legs, torso, shoulder head etc)

Pathway Dance • Creating an original AIR to FLOOR pathway dance that includes both kinds of pathways • Design an AIR pathway that can translate into full body movement following a predesigned pathway guide • Translate the air pathway to the floor using locomotor movements that cover the whole stage space • Repeat the air pathway material with variations in timing & direction

Groups in Space • Watch how Alonzo King uses varied floor patterns for the dancers in this dance from CHANTS • In groups of 4, the dancers follow a carefully designed patter in a square formation and along a diagonal • Note how the directness of the lines cuts through the space. • The dancers move with little runs, big jumps, and turns of all kinds DVD Ch2 L1C

Points to consider in Choreography • Chose the actions along the pathway carefully • Is it follow the leader or side-by-side? • Do you travel forwards, backwards, sideways? • Have you changed levels along the pathway? • Do you have contact (physical/visual) as you travel? • Are you in unison? • Is the arrival at the end interesting? • How do you lead into each pathway? • Is there a clear beginning & end to this short dance?

Inspirations for choreography • Look at a painting • Choose movement both in the air and on the floor that clearly describes all the different pathways that appear in the painting • Because the painting conatins all the l;ines & curves at once, find a way for your dancers to perform the pathways at the same time • Dancers may exit & enter at different times • Throw a dice to decide who enters/exits/moves first

DVD • From CHANTS • See the stage as if it were a painting • The stage space is painted with the movements of the dancers • Watch how each dancer/group enters/exits through the stage space seemingly unaware of each other, but somehow belonging together • The scene is reminiscent of a watering hole on the African Savanna in the early morning • The dancers enter the dance space with their own dance phrase as if they were animals, a little wary of those around them & eager to leave as soon as a sip of water has been taken

Choreography: Use of Space