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P.101 1st year Practical.

MOVEMENT WORKSHOP

 Michael Moor

Aims

·        To give the student an understanding of how movement may enhance and be relevant to a range of Performing Arts both directly and indirectly.

·        To suggest ways in which movement can be integrated into the Performing Arts in order to create a more effective performance for both the individual and the ensemble.

 

Class Plan

Warm up: 20 / 30mins

Aims

·        To prepare the body in a 'safe' manner. (i.e. an emphasis on 'floor work' using a variety of strengthening but non weight bearing exercises)

·        To make the student aware of the importance of physical flexibility and to suggest methods for increasing flexibility.

·        To make the student aware of 'good' posture so that injury and strain may be avoided in the practice of the Performing Arts.

Class content

Movement as Gesture

·        Gesture can illustrate and enhance meaning ….sometimes a gesture can even 'say'  more than words ….

Movement as Mimicry and Mime

·        How does your 'character' move. Somewhere there is an 'animal' in all of us….

 

Movement as Dance

·        Composition and Transition…one method for the practice and understanding of choreography.

 

 

A video presentation : TBA

 

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Understanding Post Modernism and Post Modern Thought

 By M.Moor MA      

 

In order to understand Post Modernism we must first understand Modernism.

 

Modernism

Modernism is a comprehensive term for an international tendency or movement, arising in the arts and architecture.  This tendency began in the last years of the nineteenth century.

As a stylistic term Modernism contains and conceals a wide variety of different, smaller movements across the arts. Many of these movements have theoretical differences. However they do share an anti-representational underpinning.  For example in music Atonalism, in painting Cubism, in poetry Fragmentation, and so on.

Modernism tends to require a highly formal aesthetic and can often be seen as preserving elitism by implication.

Modernism I would argue in all its forms aims to open the 'doors of perception'.  It represents a radical shift in thought and concept, from the figurative and literal to the abstract and fragmented. Modernism has clearly affected the character of the twentieth century.

We can view Modernism as both a platform for Post Modernism and as a form of cultural elitism.  However its truly international nature complicates any over simplified conclusion.

Post Modernism differs from Modernism in its commitment to a non-elitist, plural perspective.

While Modernism's commitment is to 'modernity', Post Modernism is far less concerned with 'modernity' as such.

 Post Modernism freely draws upon many aspects of 'modernity'.  However not exclusively, other philosophies and ideals are clearly present.  Post Modernism holds many positions simultaneously. It reveres, rejects and encompasses Modernity.   Its commitment is to Pluralism.  In this respect we can see 'cultural relativism' as an influence.

Post Modernism has an overarching ironic sensibility which often rejects the  'specific' and may seem to lack specific aims. This has led to accusations that Post Modernism lacks 'integrity' or is reactionary and may even constitute a 'dumbing down' of western culture.   

Post Modernism suggested further reading.

Storey, J(1993) An Introductory Guide to Cultural Theory and Popular Culture. Harvester Wheatsheaf : Chapter 7.  (Postmodernism)

Connor, S(1989) Postmodernist Culture: An Introduction to Theories of the Contemporary. Blackwell :  Chapter 3 (Architecture and Visual Arts) Chapter 5 (Postmodern Performance)

·       Please note there is a good deal of 'up to date' information on the 'net'.  The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) has a website, this may be a good starting point.

 

 

 

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