Distilling principles – an investigation of the role of consciousness in butoh training

Sweeney, Rachel (2012) Distilling principles – an investigation of the role of consciousness in butoh training. Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, 3 (1). pp. 68-80. ISSN 1944-3927

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

This essay provides a personal and critical approach to the Japanese contemporary performance expression of butoh through an investigation of the role of physical consciousness in contemporary performance training. Butoh is presented here as a performing entity containing its own existential movement aesthetic as well as reflecting social, political and cultural debates which surround the body in performance. In aligning butoh to certain initiatives within contemporary western dance theatre pedagogy, the article considers the shift from a range of contemporary form-based movement techniques which can be copied and accurately replicated in the body of the student, towards a conscious expression of movement that is cultivated out of a dialogue existing between internalised sensibilities and externalised movement forms. In comparing the author's own performance training experiences in Decroux Mime technique and contemporary dance with those in butoh, this paper aims to locate the distinct relationship between physical and aesthetic consciousness in the interface between butoh training and performance practice.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information and Comments: This is an Author's Original Manuscript of an article submitted for consideration in Theatre, Dance and Performance Training [copyright Taylor & Francis]; Theatre, Dance and Performance Training is available online at http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19443927.2011.646294#.Ugt_8KzjUuI
Keywords: Decroux Mime technique,Butoh,physical consciousness, anatomical imagery
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN2000 Dramatic representation. The Theater
Faculty / Department: Faculty of Creative Arts & Humanities > School of Creative and Performing Arts
Depositing User: Users 4 not found.
Date Deposited: 10 Mar 2014 08:48
Last Modified: 19 May 2021 10:13
URI: https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/118

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item