Space in the Construction of Dance Movements | Traditional Summary
Contextualization
In dance, space is one of the fundamental elements that influence the execution of movements. It can be divided into personal space, which is the immediate area around the dancer's body, and general space, which is the total available environment for dance. Understanding and utilizing these spaces appropriately can transform a performance, making it more expressive and interesting. Exploring space allows dancers to create varied and dynamic movements, enriching the choreography and engaging the audience more.
Additionally, orientation in space includes the use of directions (such as forward, backward, sideways) and levels (high, medium, low) during dance. These elements are essential for creating a rich and complex choreography. Dancers must also be aware of the planes and axes of the body, which are fundamental for the coordination and precision of movements. Interaction with space and with peers during dance promotes creativity, teamwork, and body awareness, important aspects both in dance and in other daily activities.
Personal and General Space
Personal space refers to the area immediately around the dancer's body. It is the space that each person occupies individually and where they perform smaller, more contained movements. This space is essential for detailed movements, such as hand gestures and facial expressions, that do not require significant displacement. Understanding and effectively utilizing personal space is crucial for the precision and expressiveness of movements.
General space, on the other hand, is the total environment available for dance. It includes the entire area where dancers can move, whether on a stage, in a dance studio, or any other location. Movements that utilize general space are generally broader and involve larger displacements, such as running or jumping. Effectively using general space can add dynamism to the performance, making it more interesting and engaging for the audience.
The distinction between personal and general space allows dancers to plan and execute choreographies that make the most of the available environment. This is especially important in group performances, where coordination and spatial distribution are fundamental to avoid collisions and create a visually harmonious spectacle.
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Personal space: immediate area around the body, used for smaller and more contained movements.
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General space: total environment available for dance, used for broad movements and displacements.
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Understanding and effectively utilizing these spaces enriches choreography and performance.
Directions and Levels
Directions in dance refer to the orientations that the dancer can take during the execution of movements. The basic directions include forward, backward, sideways, and diagonals. Utilizing different directions in a choreography helps create patterns and keeps the audience engaged, adding complexity and visual interest to the performance. Movements in various directions also allow for a better exploration of the available general space.
Levels in dance pertain to the height at which movements are performed. There are three main levels: high, medium, and low. High level movements may include jumps or lifts, while medium level movements are performed standing and low level movements are near the ground, such as squats or rolls. Combining different levels enriches the performance, adding variation and dynamism to the choreography.
Understanding and effectively utilizing directions and levels is essential for any dancer. This allows for the creation of more complex and visually interesting performances, as well as helping with coordination and spatial planning, especially in group dances. Varying directions and levels also contributes to expressiveness and emotional communication through dance.
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Directions: forward, backward, sideways, and diagonals.
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Levels: high, medium, and low.
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Combining directions and levels enriches the performance and adds complexity.
Planes and Axes
Planes in dance refer to imaginary surfaces that divide space into different orientations. There are three main planes: horizontal, vertical, and sagittal. The horizontal plane is parallel to the ground and includes movements such as turns and rolls. The vertical plane is perpendicular to the ground and encompasses upward and downward movements, such as jumps. The sagittal plane divides the body into right and left sides and includes movements forward and backward. Understanding these planes helps dancers create coordinated and precise movements.
The axes of the body are imaginary lines around which movements occur. There are three main axes: longitudinal, transverse, and sagittal. The longitudinal axis runs from top to bottom and is used in rotational movements. The transverse axis goes from side to side and is used in lifting and lowering movements. The sagittal axis runs from front to back and is used in bending and extending movements. Understanding these axes allows dancers to execute movements with greater control and coordination.
The combination of planes and axes in dance allows for the creation of three-dimensional and more complex movements. This adds depth and visual interest to the performance, as well as helping dancers explore the full potential of the available space. Understanding these concepts is fundamental for executing precise and harmonious choreographies.
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Planes: horizontal, vertical, and sagittal.
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Axes: longitudinal, transverse, and sagittal.
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Understanding planes and axes allows for coordinated and three-dimensional movements.
Dimensions of Movement
The dimensions of movement in dance refer to different characteristics that can be adjusted to create variations in movements. Amplitude is one of these dimensions and refers to the size of the movement. Large amplitude movements are broad and occupy more space, while small amplitude movements are more contained. Changing the amplitude can alter the perception of the movement, adding expressiveness or detail.
Direction is another dimension of movement and can be singular or multiple. Movements in a single direction are simpler and more focused, while movements in multiple directions are more complex and dynamic. Varying the direction of movements during a performance can keep the audience engaged and add complexity to the choreography.
Speed is the third dimension of movement and can be fast or slow. Fast movements convey energy and intensity, while slow movements can be softer and more expressive. Varying the speed of movements during dance allows for contrasts and adds drama or lightness to the performance. Understanding and utilizing these dimensions of movement is essential for any dancer, as it allows for the creation of richer and more interesting choreographies.
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Amplitude: size of the movement, can be large or small.
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Direction: singular or multiple.
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Speed: fast or slow, adds contrast and expressiveness.
Interaction with Space and Peers
Interaction with space in dance refers to the conscious and creative use of the environment around the dancer. This includes movement within the total available space, avoiding collisions, and making the most of the area to create dynamic choreographies. Interaction with space allows dancers to explore different areas of the stage or room, adding variation and visual interest to the performance.
Interaction with peers is equally important in dance, especially in group presentations. This involves coordination and communication among dancers to ensure that movements are synchronized and harmonious. Interaction can include mirrored movements, where dancers perform the same movements simultaneously, or complementary movements, where one dancer's movements respond to or complement those of another.
Working as a team and interacting with peers during dance promotes creativity and group cohesion. This results in more cohesive and visually appealing performances. Additionally, these interaction and coordination skills are valuable not only in dance but also in other activities that require teamwork and cooperation.
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Interaction with space: conscious and creative use of the environment around.
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Interaction with peers: coordination and communication for synchronized and harmonious movements.
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Teamwork in dance promotes creativity and cohesion.
To Remember
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Personal space: immediate area around the dancer's body.
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General space: total environment available for dance.
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Directions: movement orientations (forward, backward, sideways, diagonals).
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Levels: height of movements (high, medium, low).
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Planes: imaginary surfaces that divide space (horizontal, vertical, sagittal).
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Axes: imaginary lines around which movements occur (longitudinal, transverse, sagittal).
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Amplitude: size of the movement (large or small).
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Speed: quickness or slowness of the movement.
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Interaction with space: use of the surrounding environment.
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Interaction with peers: coordination and communication among dancers.
Conclusion
In this lesson, we discussed the importance of space in constructing danced movements, differentiating personal space from general space and how each can be used to enrich a performance. We also addressed the use of directions and levels to create more complex and visually interesting choreographies, as well as understanding the planes and axes of the body to improve the coordination and precision of movements.
We explored the dimensions of movement, such as amplitude, direction, and speed, and how these variables can be adjusted to add expressiveness and dynamism to dance. The interaction with space and with peers was highlighted as an essential element for creating cohesive and harmonious choreographies, promoting teamwork and creativity.
Understanding these concepts is fundamental for any dancer, as it allows for a more expressive and coordinated performance. Additionally, these skills are valuable outside the context of dance, helping to develop better body awareness and cooperation skills in daily activities.
Study Tips
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Review the concepts of personal and general space, directions and levels, planes and axes, and dimensions of movement, making detailed notes about each.
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Practice different dance movements in front of a mirror, paying attention to how you utilize space, directions, and levels.
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Watch videos of professional dancers and observe how they utilize space and interact with other dancers. Try to replicate some of the movements and patterns you saw.
