Comments on: Mind Is As In Motion http://www.independentdance.co.uk/forum/2007/08/02/mind-as-in-motion/ Moving ideas into action Thu, 17 May 2012 17:20:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Maria Svensson http://www.independentdance.co.uk/forum/2007/08/02/mind-as-in-motion/#comment-7 Maria Svensson Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:21:56 +0000 http://www.independentdance.co.uk/forum/2007/08/02/mind-as-in-motion/#comment-7 <p>I studied for ten years at a Steiner School in Sweden, but did not then know much about the life philosophy regarding Anthroposophy. I have however, during the years, developed a more personal understanding and been introduced to the different way of living. One thing that Rudolf Steiner speaks about, that I came to think of when I read the article, is the threefold view of the human being, that man holds a body, soul and spirit. Part of his pedagocical idea is to nourish the whole person or being, and through play, creative and pedagogical learning let students become independent and individual human beings.<br /> Dance is not part of the curriculum as such, however it is common to learn various folk dances and traditions. Why this is I have to research further, but instead of dance there is something called Eurythmy, described by Steiner as 'the art of the soul'.<br /> As I read the article I came to think about how contemporary dance reflects our Western society in the way it is perceived and performed. I can't help thinking that it is quite self-indulgent in some how, or at least it can be. Some people like to think of it as something made for profit making, and so they go about to create works of dance, to sell? The fact that there is a word such as Dance Industry makes me scared. Surely this is not what dance is about? Maybe we ought to think more about the why and how we dance, and about us as whole beings? </p> <p>I recently attended an international dance festival in Sweden where different genres within dance such as contemporary dance, mime, street dance and folk/traditional dance were introduced through performances and workshops. I could clearly notice a cultural difference between the artists and groups from different parts of the world and even from different parts of Europe, and of course between the different genres. The Transylvanian folk dance group would dance and play in any given moment, to the joy of others. Their joy and the way they danced together was very inspiring to see. </p> <p>I'm not entirley sure where I want to come with this reply or comment, but I suppose I'm just intrigued that our Western culture is mirrored in our dance.<br /> Lets not forget the soul and the spirit.</p> I studied for ten years at a Steiner School in Sweden, but did not then know much about the life philosophy regarding Anthroposophy. I have however, during the years, developed a more personal understanding and been introduced to the different way of living. One thing that Rudolf Steiner speaks about, that I came to think of when I read the article, is the threefold view of the human being, that man holds a body, soul and spirit. Part of his pedagocical idea is to nourish the whole person or being, and through play, creative and pedagogical learning let students become independent and individual human beings.
Dance is not part of the curriculum as such, however it is common to learn various folk dances and traditions. Why this is I have to research further, but instead of dance there is something called Eurythmy, described by Steiner as ‘the art of the soul’.
As I read the article I came to think about how contemporary dance reflects our Western society in the way it is perceived and performed. I can’t help thinking that it is quite self-indulgent in some how, or at least it can be. Some people like to think of it as something made for profit making, and so they go about to create works of dance, to sell? The fact that there is a word such as Dance Industry makes me scared. Surely this is not what dance is about? Maybe we ought to think more about the why and how we dance, and about us as whole beings?

I recently attended an international dance festival in Sweden where different genres within dance such as contemporary dance, mime, street dance and folk/traditional dance were introduced through performances and workshops. I could clearly notice a cultural difference between the artists and groups from different parts of the world and even from different parts of Europe, and of course between the different genres. The Transylvanian folk dance group would dance and play in any given moment, to the joy of others. Their joy and the way they danced together was very inspiring to see.

I’m not entirley sure where I want to come with this reply or comment, but I suppose I’m just intrigued that our Western culture is mirrored in our dance.
Lets not forget the soul and the spirit.

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