The Dancer / The Labyrinth Dance
I
Introduction
According
to Kassing (2007), from its origins dance served as a medium for magic
and religion through rituals and ceremonies. For early societies, a
ritual was a series of acts established through tradition. Ceremonies,
on the other hand, signify or celebrate an important event.Ceremonies
are performed by enacting strictly prescribed rituals.
II
Learning Objectives
- Understand the outer and inner aspects of dance in non-literate societies during prehistory.
- Explain the importance of dance ornaments
- Gain an awareness of the role of the mind's eye in the development of art
- Discuss the role of the shaman in these early societies
- Articulate what cave art suggest in reference to dance
- Experience the labyrinth
III
Main Lesson
1
The Dancer
Take a look at the diagram on page 29 of Kassing (2007)
Source: Kassing, Gayle (2007). History of Dance:
An Interactive Arts Approach. Human Kinetics
Question 1
Which are the outer and inner aspects of the dance in non-literate or prehistoric societies?
2
LINK
Evolution of Art in the Hominid Lineage
Pag. 429 - 430
Question 2
Why individuals creating and wearing adornments presumably out-reproduced those who did not?
Question 3
Why is the development of the mind's eye important for the evolution of art?
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3
Question 3
What does cave art suggest in reference to dance?
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4
Source: Kassing, Gayle (2007). History of Dance:
An Interactive Arts Approach. Human Kinetics
Dancers and Personalities (Page 20)
Question 4
What was the role of the shaman?
Reading
Read this excerpt on page 35 of Kassing's.
"Labyrinth dances suggest mystery or secret societies and often were associated with initiations."
Question 5
Why would you say the Labyrinth dance suggest mystery?
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IV
A Note to Remember
Prehistoric dance was very basic. It used everyday movements. It served as an important means of communication. Since nearly everyone in early communities danced, the movements were simple. Dance unified people as they celebrated family and community life events. As a medium to express and communicate critical information, dance was integral to survival, hunting, war and healing.
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V
Case Study
Anna Halprin
Anna
Halprin (born Hannah Dorothy Schuman; July 13, 1920 – May 24, 2021) was
an American choreographer and dancer. She helped redefine dance in
postwar America and pioneer the experimental art form known as
postmodern dance and referred to herself as a breaker of the rules of
modern dance. In the 1950s, she established the San Francisco Dancers'
Workshop to give artists like her a place to practice their art.
Exploring the capabilities of her own body, she created a systematic way of moving using kinesthetic awareness. With her husband, landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, she developed the RSVP cycles, a creative methodology that includes the idea of scores and can be applied broadly across all disciplines. Many of her creations have been scores, including Myths in the 1960s which gave a score to the audience, making them performers as well, and a highly participatory Planetary Dance (1987). Influenced by her own battle with cancer and her healing journey, Halprin became known for her work with the terminally ill patients as well as creative movement work in nature.
In 1978, together with her daughter Daria Halprin, she founded the Tamalpa Institute, based in Marin County, California, which offers training in Life/Art process, their creative methodology. Halprin has written books including: Movement Rituals, Moving Toward Life: Five Decades of Transformational Dance and Dance as a Healing Art. A documentary film about her life and art, Breath Made Visible directed by Ruedi Gerber, premiered in 2010.
Circle the Mountain
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VI
Activities
1
Link: How to Draw a Labyrinth
See the link above and choose the labyrinth model you like best.
Draw your own labyrinth on a piece of paper.
2
- Observe an animal
- Incorporate some of the movements.
- Trace your labyrinth on the floor.
- Use the labyrinth you drew as a pathway for your dance
- Reach the center of your labyrinth
- Decide on the intention of your dance
- Become a symbolic shaman
- Create your dance.
3
Work in teams. Use the chairs in the room to create the group's own labyrinth. Choose who will play the Minotaur; who sits in the middle? Organize the passage of each member through the labyrinth, making a stop in the center where the Minotaur and the student exchange a symbolic gesture, to then continue to exit.
Following Anna Halprin's premise that a dance ritual is a dance with a purpose, they choose what to walk for prior entering the labyrinth.
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VII
Student's Work
I. Individual
Question 1: Which are the outer and inner aspects of the dance in non-literate or prehistoric societies?
Based on the diagrams, the outer aspects of the dance in relation to the environment include the general way of moving, specific way of moving, and symbolic content from the environment with movement and costumes. The outer aspects of the dance in relation to society include the event (ritual), rites of passage (individual) like birth, puberty, marriage and death, rites of passage (group) like war and catastrophe, and rights of passage that are seasonal. The inner aspects of the dancer are transformation, unification, and simulation (with group or society).
Question 2: Why individuals creating and wearing adornments presumably out-reproduced those who did not?
Individuals creating and wearing adornments presumably out-reproduced those who did not because individuals in ancient societies likely conferred reproductive advantages, contributing to the out-reproduction of those who embraced such practices. Jewelry or body decorations, could have served as signals of various qualities that are desirable in a mate, such as creativity, resourcefulness, or social status. Individuals who showed these qualities through their adornments might have been perceived as more attractive or better mates, leading to increased mating opportunities and, subsequently, higher reproductive success.
Question 3: Why is the development of the mind's eye important for the evolution of art?
The development of the mind's eye is important for the development of art because it allows early humans to visualize the final product of tool construction when starting with a block of unworked material (such as rock), or allowing hunters to visualize location of prey even when they have disappeared from their view.
Question 3: What does cave art suggest in reference to dance?
Cave art suggests views into the ancient human experience. It offers potential insights into the role of dance in prehistoric societies. Some elements of cave art suggest a connection to movement and ritualistic activities. Figures captured in dynamic or exaggerated poses may imply dance-like motions, and scenes featuring humans and animals engaged in activities hint at narrative sequences that could involve rhythmic movements. Symbols and patterns found in cave art, such as spirals or circles, may also be linked to dance or ceremonial practices.
Question 4: What was the role of the shaman?
The shaman has magical powers, and was a physician, religious leader and lead dancer. when a priest appeared during the Neolithic period, shamans emerged as community's highest-ranking priest-physicians-leaders. As spiritual leaders, they kept the community safe, prosperous and healthy.
Question 5: Why would you say the Labyrinth dance suggest mystery?
The Labyrinth dance suggests mystery through its intricate movements, which mirrors the complex pathways of the mythical labyrinth itself. The dancers use unpredictable moves as well as intricate patterns and twisting choreography. The dance form often includes subtle gestures, veiled movements, and symbolic interactions, that makes the audience interpret the true meaning and essence.
II. Labyrinth Dance
Dance with Chairs
Dance with Mind's Eye
Make Up
- What are the outer and inner aspects of the dance in non-literate or prehistoric societies?
- Externally, dance involves the overall and specific movements of the performers, along with how attire and gestures symbolically depict aspects of their environment. This pertains to various occasions such as rituals, personal milestones (birth, adolescence, marriage, death), collective transitions (disasters, conflicts), and seasonal ceremonies. Internally, dance encompasses metamorphosis, cohesion, and emulation within the community or society.
- Why individuals creating and wearing adornments presumably out-reproduced those who did not?
- In ancient civilizations, individuals who crafted and adorned themselves likely enjoyed reproductive benefits, resulting in their prevalence compared to those who didn't. Adornments such as body art or ornaments may have indicated favorable qualities like creativity, adaptability, or societal status. Demonstrating these qualities through adornments enhanced an individual's appeal or perceived superiority, thus raising their chances of finding mates and achieving reproductive success.
- Why is the development of the mind’s eye important for the evolution of art?
- The development of mental imagery plays a pivotal role in the realm of art as it empowers early humans to envision the end result while manipulating raw materials or to picture the whereabouts of prey during hunts. This ability to mentally visualize facilitated the crafting of tools and the portrayal of scenes, thereby nurturing the progression of artistic expression.
- What does cave art suggest in reference to dance?
- Cave art provides insights into the ancient human existence and offers clues about the role of dance in prehistoric communities. Some elements of cave art potentially imply a connection between ceremonial practices and physical movement. The energetic postures of depicted figures and scenes illustrating rhythmic motions or symbolic engagements with animals suggest the presence of dance-like rituals or ceremonial performances portrayed in the artwork.
- What was the role of the shaman?
- In ancient societies, the shaman fulfilled various roles as a principal dancer, healer, religious authority, and wielder of mystical powers. They held the highest positions as priestly healers and leaders until the emergence of priests in the Neolithic period. Shamans were indispensable figures in safeguarding the community's well-being, security, and vitality as spiritual guides.
- Why would you say the Labyrinth dance suggest mystery?
- The intricate motions of the Labyrinth dance, mirroring the convoluted pathways of the mythical labyrinth, evoke a profound sense of mystery. With its intricate patterns, intricate choreography, and unpredictable movements, the dance invites the audience to discern its deeper significance. Delicate gestures, subtle shifts, and symbolic exchanges all add to the enigmatic nature of the Labyrinth dance.
In non-literate or prehistoric societies, dance served outer functions like social cohesion and communication, while also fulfilling inner needs such as spiritual connection and emotional expression.
Adornments signaled status and attractiveness, likely boosting mating success, driving their widespread use.
The mind's eye's development is crucial for art evolution as it enables imaginative representation, fostering artistic expression.
Cave art suggests that dance played a significant role in prehistoric societies, possibly as part of rituals or cultural expressions.
The shaman was a spiritual leader and healer in traditional societies, facilitating communication with the spiritual realm and guiding rituals.
The Labyrinth dance suggests mystery due to its intricate movements mirroring the complexity of life's journey.
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