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The
Presence in Dance
By
Vipul Bhatti, a student of London Contemporary Dance
School
Space
can be just like a beginning point. It already exists.
Its relevance can be observed upon how we use it. In
dance, the relationship between space and movement share
many important dynamics which should be considered in
choreography and performance. The same dynamics are
found in different dance techniques which give form
to a specific technique stylistically.
My
personal experience between the relationship of the
use of space and movement has been explored through
contemporary dance and Kathak. As differently as they
may be viewed, quite often in matters of modern versus
tradition, their individual dynamics can be crossed
over to bring another dimension to the particular form
without changing it yet enriching it both technically
and artistically.
In
Kathak, as with other Indian classical dances, the use
of eyes is often the main method of projecting distance.
Be this in stillness or a point of reference for direction.
Focus is what gives clarity to what is intended in dance.
And it is intention that gives coherence to the aimed
thought or idea. Focus is always a constant reminder
to dance students. Focus strengthens the relationship
between movement and structure.
My
contemporary dance studies have brought my attention
to how the centre aides the exploration of space. Whether
a phrase starts from lying down, or moves across the
floor or to a series of jumps, connection to our centres
helps to draw out the movement intentions in full. This
is not to say that this is exclusive of contemporary
technique. After all, a strong centre facilitates better
control, whether it’s the fast footwork in Kathak
or multiple pirouettes in Ballet.
The
importance of space is its awareness. Movement can be
marked, shown, just done, but it is the awareness what
makes it ‘dance’. Space is present through
awareness and it is this awareness that gives dance
the Presence.
As
a dance student, I refer constantly to this very important
verse from ‘The Abhinaya Darpana’, or the
‘Mirror of Gestures’, a ancient Indian treatise
– an exposition of the art of dancing regardless
of the genre:
“Whither the hand goes, the glance follows,
Whither the glance goes, the mind follows,
Whither the mind goes, the mood follows,
Whither then mood goes, there is real flavour born.”
Vipul
Bhatti |
