I recently completed my Major Project, which was about uncovering the functions that dance performs when engaged with in a ritualistic way. This is with a focus on contemporary Dance styles, looking at the context of which they are learnt, taught and performed and how this may affect the functions performed for the individual or groups engaging with them.
What functions does Dance fulfil to make it such a common human behaviour?
To answer this, I approached multiple Dancers from Birmingham/London to gain an insight into their
thoughts, feelings and perspectives about their experiences within dance, what it means to them and why they use it. Using a list of preselected questions, that were either answered through a discussion or sent to them online to answer, I was able to uncover multiple reasons for why people Dance and how it has become a part of their daily lives.
This has allowed me to discuss my reasoning for why Dance has always been a key component within communities since the beginning of human life, and the fact that it must have multiple positive benefits and reinforcers to be more popular and more engaged with today than it has ever been before.
Before the Lockdown, I also managed to have 1 - to - 1 studio sessions with some of the Dancers to do some filming. I wanted to learn their approaches and style myself and participate in the dance session with them, almost like a teacher – student scenario, with them being the teacher. I feel like this is important to the research project because I believe in order to fully understand dance and the feeling it gives, you need embody it, take on the styles and steps and see how they effect you.
This exchange is also important to my research question because I am interested in the way people connect; both emotionally and physically; and how movement, instead of talking like we normally would, still allows people to do this.
Alternatively, if we could not meet in person due to Covid Restrictions, we conducted either an online discussion via Teams, or I sent the questions over for the Dancers to answer and respond in a video to send back. I also asked for them to send me footage of them dancing and moving to include in their video log.
Trailer Video
If you're interested in hearing more about these Dancers as individuals, and the functions Dance performs for them, check out the full project via the link below!
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